Mark 2:1-12 contains a relatively well-known parable: The healing of a paralytic.

In the parable, we see several men bringing their friend to Jesus to be healed.
This individual was a paralytic and could not walk – his friends had to carry him on a mat to the house where Jesus was.

However, Jesus was inside the house, and the crowd that had gathered to see Jesus prevented the four men from bringing their friend inside the house. What happens next is quite remarkable.

Rather than be dismayed, the four friends determine Jesus is the one chance for their friend to walk again and do the only thing they can think of: They climb on top of the house, dig a hole in the roof, and lower their friend through it.

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The faith of the friends is incredibly simple and there isn’t the slightest hint of hesitation.
Without even bothering to consider the ramifications of their actions or how ridiculous they may look, they do whatever it takes to make sure their friend has the opportunity to be healed by Jesus.

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While the faith of the four friends is simple, it is also extraordinary. This parable takes place early in the ministry of Jesus,  He was probably still relatively unknown. But these four friends, they had faith. They had faith Jesus was the only hope for their friend. They had faith that if they could bring their friend to the feet of Jesus no matter the cost, he would be healed.

In response, not only does Jesus heal the paralytic and enable him to pick up his mat and walk out of the house, He cleanses him of his sins as well. “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven,’” (Mark 2:5).

Jesus heals the individual physically and spiritually, meeting both his temporal and his eternal needs.

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Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

  – Ephesians 3:20-21

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