"But as they could not get near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof of the house where He was, made an opening, and let down the stretcher on which the paralyzed man lay" (Mark, ch. 2, v. 4*).
At the beginning of His ministry, the Lord Jesus was preaching in a house. A large crowd of people had gathered there, many of whom He had healed earlier. Now they and many others had come to Him again to listen to His sermons. It was so overcrowded that a few men who were bringing their friend for healing could not get near Christ at all. So they went up on the roof of the house, made a hole in it, and lowered their friend down to the Lord Jesus.
When I reflect on this story, I see two types of people in it. Some would not make room for a person who needs the Lord. Others would do everything possible to bring their friend to Christ. "Which type am I?" I asked myself. I recalled moments when I noticed people in need of Jesus Christ—at work, on the street, friends, relatives. God doesn't always ask us to break holes in ceilings. Perhaps He calls us to say a kind word, share our food, listen to someone, or sometimes just not to hinder them from reaching God. Now, when I come across someone's need, I pray to the Lord to open my eyes and heart to help, rather than being an obstacle.
Link to the original article: https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals/en-2023-01-22
* Biblical quotations are from The Bible, New Translation from Original Languages © Bulgarian Bible Society 2013