March 22nd, 2022
by Mike DePope
by Mike DePope
Tuesday, March 22
HEALING FRIENDSHIPS by Dave Dietrich
Mark 2:1-12
After a few days, Jesus went back to Capernaum, and people heard that he was at home. So many gathered that there was no longer space, not even near the door. Jesus was speaking the word to them. Some people arrived, and four of them were bringing to him a man who was paralyzed. They couldn’t carry him through the crowd, so they tore off part of the roof above where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they lowered the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven!”
Some legal experts were sitting there, muttering among themselves, “Why does he speak this way? He’s insulting God. Only the one God can forgive sins.”
Jesus immediately recognized what they were discussing, and he said to them, “Why do you fill your minds with these questions? Which is easier—to say to a paralyzed person, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take up your bed, and walk’? But so you will know that the Human One has authority on the earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed, “Get up, take your mat, and go home.”
Jesus raised him up, and right away he picked up his mat and walked out in front of everybody. They were all amazed and praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”
Reflection
Verse 4: “They couldn’t carry him through the crowd, so they tore off part of the roof above where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they lowered the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying.”
The story never addresses it, but I do have to wonder what the person who owned the house was thinking the moment the roof opened up. I try to imagine calling my AllState agent: “Hey Jim. Yeah, so the Son of God was in my house just chilling with some legal experts when a group of altruistic heathens broke through my roof and lowered in a paralyzed man on a yoga mat. No, he’s fine; but what’s my deductible on this?”
I mean, they tore the roof off. Such was the commitment of these people to their friend; a friend who lacked even the ability to labor, among many limitations, which all the others likely took for granted. Even a prone cynic like me is shaken by the imagery. The passage has one of the more potent descriptors of any story in the bible because it’s so tangible. Granting that the materials and shapes were slightly different given the era, we all still know what roofs look like and how difficult they are to penetrate. This one got torn open.
Soon after we are hit with Verse 9: “Which is easier- to say to a paralyzed person, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take up your bed and walk?” Basically, it’s a miracle for me to forgive another person- though it is completely within my power to do so. I call this “mic drop Jesus.” The speech is bold and astonishing. I am at once in awe and also want to give a raucous ovation. Though we Christians have a tendency to make such gestures a bit awkward at times.
In the first part of the story, it seems I’m supposed to courageously support my friends and neighbors who are less fortunate. But I like to put myself on that mat. Because I’m probably the paralyzed man more often than the one tearing the roof open; paralyzed by relationships, jealousy, doubt, anger, resentment and so on. Which means, when I’m presented an opportunity to be on the roof, I shouldn’t hesitate.
In the end, the man picks up his mat and walks out in front of the crowd. Clearly a watershed moment for the man, but also for humanity. We’re affirmed the power to forgive. And with that power comes the responsibility to use it- a duty to which we are held accountable.
Underlying the entire account is the notion of community. The church is one such example. But is it reflective of the kind of community Mark describes? I fear we may spend more time watching the people work on the roof rather than laboring alongside them.
But I’ve witnessed the extraordinary impact that imperfect humans can have, particularly those in my church. Many have helped me when I’ve been paralyzed to the bone. And as someone who needs a lot of forgiveness, it is fairly miraculous to even be allowed to be part of such a community.
The crowd responds: “We’ve never seen anything like this!”
Jim from AllState replies: “Thanks be to God.”
Questions for Contemplation
Prayer
God, when I am paralized by relationships, jealousy, doubt, anger or resentment, please allow me to take up my mat and walk. Allow me to lean into the communities that you have so graciously allowed me to be a part of. Then, when I see others paralized, help me be a conduit of your grace. Amen
After a few days, Jesus went back to Capernaum, and people heard that he was at home. So many gathered that there was no longer space, not even near the door. Jesus was speaking the word to them. Some people arrived, and four of them were bringing to him a man who was paralyzed. They couldn’t carry him through the crowd, so they tore off part of the roof above where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they lowered the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven!”
Some legal experts were sitting there, muttering among themselves, “Why does he speak this way? He’s insulting God. Only the one God can forgive sins.”
Jesus immediately recognized what they were discussing, and he said to them, “Why do you fill your minds with these questions? Which is easier—to say to a paralyzed person, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take up your bed, and walk’? But so you will know that the Human One has authority on the earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed, “Get up, take your mat, and go home.”
Jesus raised him up, and right away he picked up his mat and walked out in front of everybody. They were all amazed and praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”
Reflection
Verse 4: “They couldn’t carry him through the crowd, so they tore off part of the roof above where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they lowered the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying.”
The story never addresses it, but I do have to wonder what the person who owned the house was thinking the moment the roof opened up. I try to imagine calling my AllState agent: “Hey Jim. Yeah, so the Son of God was in my house just chilling with some legal experts when a group of altruistic heathens broke through my roof and lowered in a paralyzed man on a yoga mat. No, he’s fine; but what’s my deductible on this?”
I mean, they tore the roof off. Such was the commitment of these people to their friend; a friend who lacked even the ability to labor, among many limitations, which all the others likely took for granted. Even a prone cynic like me is shaken by the imagery. The passage has one of the more potent descriptors of any story in the bible because it’s so tangible. Granting that the materials and shapes were slightly different given the era, we all still know what roofs look like and how difficult they are to penetrate. This one got torn open.
Soon after we are hit with Verse 9: “Which is easier- to say to a paralyzed person, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take up your bed and walk?” Basically, it’s a miracle for me to forgive another person- though it is completely within my power to do so. I call this “mic drop Jesus.” The speech is bold and astonishing. I am at once in awe and also want to give a raucous ovation. Though we Christians have a tendency to make such gestures a bit awkward at times.
In the first part of the story, it seems I’m supposed to courageously support my friends and neighbors who are less fortunate. But I like to put myself on that mat. Because I’m probably the paralyzed man more often than the one tearing the roof open; paralyzed by relationships, jealousy, doubt, anger, resentment and so on. Which means, when I’m presented an opportunity to be on the roof, I shouldn’t hesitate.
In the end, the man picks up his mat and walks out in front of the crowd. Clearly a watershed moment for the man, but also for humanity. We’re affirmed the power to forgive. And with that power comes the responsibility to use it- a duty to which we are held accountable.
Underlying the entire account is the notion of community. The church is one such example. But is it reflective of the kind of community Mark describes? I fear we may spend more time watching the people work on the roof rather than laboring alongside them.
But I’ve witnessed the extraordinary impact that imperfect humans can have, particularly those in my church. Many have helped me when I’ve been paralyzed to the bone. And as someone who needs a lot of forgiveness, it is fairly miraculous to even be allowed to be part of such a community.
The crowd responds: “We’ve never seen anything like this!”
Jim from AllState replies: “Thanks be to God.”
Questions for Contemplation
- When was the last time you felt paralyzed?
- Have you ever ‘torn the roof off’ for someone?
- How can Christians better reflect Mark’s description of community?
Prayer
God, when I am paralized by relationships, jealousy, doubt, anger or resentment, please allow me to take up my mat and walk. Allow me to lean into the communities that you have so graciously allowed me to be a part of. Then, when I see others paralized, help me be a conduit of your grace. Amen
Posted in Lent Devotional 2022
Recent
Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2
May 11th, 2024
Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24
May 11th, 2024
Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1
May 5th, 2024
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24
May 4th, 2024
Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
April 28th, 2024
Archive
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
2023
January
February
Explore - Week 1Explore - Week 2Explore - Week 3Explore - Week 4God is Leading Us Forward // M-Note 2.3.23SENT: Week 1 Discussion GuideSomething To Try This Weekend // M-Note 2.10.23SENT: Week 2 Discussion GuideWe're Doing Something Big! // M-Note 2.17.23SENT: Week 3 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 1Lent Devotional Day 2Lent Devotional Day 3SENT: Week 4 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 4Lent Devotional Day 5Lent Devotional Day 6Lent Devotional Day 7
March
Lent Devotional Day 8Lent Devotional Day 9Celebrating BEYOND // M-Note 3.3.2023Who Is Jesus: BONUS Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 10Lent Devotional Day 11Lent Devotional Day 12Who Is Jesus: Week 1 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 13Lent Devotional Day 14Lent Devotional Day 15Lent Devotional Day 16Lent Devotional Day 17The Evening Service is BACK!!! // M-Note 3.10.23Lent Devotional Day 18Lent Devotional Day 19Who Is Jesus: Week 2 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 20Lent Devotional Day 21Lent Devotional Day 22Lent Devotional Day 23The Most Important Sunday of the Year // M-Note 3.17.23Who Is Jesus: Week 3 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 24Lent Devotional Day 25Lent Devotional Day 26Lent Devotional Day 27Lent Devotional Day 28Lent Devotional Day 29Lent Devotional Day 30The Power of Easter and Invitation // M-Note 3.24.23Lent Devotional Day 31Who Is Jesus: Week 4 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 32Lent Devotional Day 33Lent Devotional Day 34Lent Devotional Day 35
Categories
Tags
1 Kings 3
1 Kings
1 Timothy
2 Corinthians 9:5-7
2 Timothy
Belden Lane
Beyond Simple
Celebrate
Change
Christ
Commit
Confidence
Denee Bowers
Devotional
Discussion Guides
Distractions
Divine Love
Doubt
Easter
Ephesians
Equity
Evangelism
Explore
Five Shared Practices
Focus
Frederick Buechner
Fresh Take
Friends
Generosity
God
Gratitude
Hebrews
Holy Ambiguity
Holy Spirit
Hope
Humanity
Identity
Inside Voice
Isaiah
Jesus
John 21
John
Joy
Kids
King Solomon
Lectio Divina
Lent
Life
Limitations
Longing
M-Note
Matt Miofsky
Matthew
Nadia Bolz-Weber
No Filter
Open
Parables
Parenting
Patience
Paula D'Arcy
Paula D\'Arcy
Paula D\\\'Arcy
Paula D\\\\\\\'Arcy
Paul
Privilege
Proverbs 1
Proverbs
Psalms
Purpose
Questions
Redeem
Rejoice
Righteousness
Sabra Engelbrecht
Second Chance
Self-Love
Struggle
Success
The Bible
The Church
The Gathering
Timothy
Uncertainty
Untethered
Vision
Weird
acts
adulting
advice
challenge
commitment
creation
deconstruction
deconstruct
faith
finances
fitness
forgiveness
forgiving
foundation
freedom
give
growth
kelley weber
love
meister eckhart
money
mystery
new life
opportunity
reconstruction
reconstruct
redemption
relationships
responsibility
simplify
sin
social
thomas merton
transition
truth
willingness
willpower
will
young adult
No Comments