“But perceiving their thoughts, Jesus replied to them, “Why are you thinking this in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He told the paralyzed man, “I tell you: Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.”
Immediately he got up before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God”
- Luke 5:22-25 HCSB
My human’s house just got a new roof.
Now, I’m a dog, so I don’t understand all the hammering and pulling and climbing and loud thumping that goes along with that sort of thing.
And it all just sort of freaked me out for a while.
Until it stopped for bit and this thought came to mind:
When the old roof comes off, you can see things you normally can’t.
Sunlight sneaks in.
Sky shows through.
Everything looks a little… open.
That got me thinking about a story my human read to me the other day.
It’s about a man who couldn’t walk and some friends who refused to give up on him.
They carried him to see Jesus.
But when they got to the house… it was packed tighter than a sardines in a tin can..
Folks were everywhere.
No room at the door.
No path through the crowd.
Now, most people might’ve shrugged their shoulders and said, “Well, we tried.”
But not these guys.
They climbed up on the roof.
Then they started tearing it apart.
Now imagine that for a moment.
Bits of dirt and straw falling down.
Sunlight and blue sky breaking through the ceiling.
People inside looking up with eyes wide open.
While Jesus stood and spoke.
And then… down comes a man - lowered through the hole…. laying on a mat.
Right in front of Jesus.
That’s what I call determination.
Those friends weren’t about to let a roof stand between their buddy and the One who could help him.
And Jesus didn’t just see the man on the mat.
He saw their faith.
First He forgave the man’s sins—something the religious folks grumbled about.
Then, just so everyone would know who was standing in the room, Jesus told the man to get up.
And he did.
Picked up his mat and walked right out the door praising God.
Now here’s what this old dog’s been chewing on.
Sometimes people need friends who will tear down the roof to get them to Jesus.
Friends who pray when the path is crowded.
Friends who carry when the legs don’t work.
Friends who refuse to quit when the way seems blocked.
Friends who say, “If the door won’t open… tear off the roof.”
My human says the best kind of faith is the kind that carries others to Christ.
And sometimes that means climbing on a roof.
Sometimes it means digging through the mess.
Sometimes it means making a hole big enough for grace to come pouring through.
And if you ask this old dog…
That’s the kind of roof work that really matters.
Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem
