The Good News!
Raising the roof means something exciting these days, doesn’t it! I wonder if this phrase goes back in time to when all the neighbors would com together in pioneer days to literally raise the roof for another so they could have a home to stay warm? Mm, need to do some Google research on that thought.
Sometimes we use the phrase when our worship songs are upbeat and exciting to sing. Mark tells one of my favorite stories in our next passage for thought. Four friends raise the roof for a friend who needs Jesus. Jesus, in turn, raised the roof of the thinking of the local religious leaders by setting them straight on Who He was and by Whose authority He was working.
Mark 2, The Message
A Paraplegic
2 1-5 After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren’t able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, “Son, I forgive your sins.”
6-7 Some religion scholars sitting there started whispering among themselves, “He can’t talk that way! That’s blasphemy! God and only God can forgive sins.”
8-12 Jesus knew right away what they were thinking, and said, “Why are you so skeptical? Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, ‘I forgive your sins,’ or say, ‘Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking’? Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . .” (he looked now at the paraplegic), “Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home.” And the man did it—got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him. They rubbed their eyes, incredulous—and then praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”
Question for inner reflection and a challenge to pray about…WHO will I raise the roof for today? Will I be ready and willing for the opportunity? Will Jesus be impressed by my own “bold belief”?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that reminds us Who we believe, follow, love and obey. It’s You. It’s always been about You. Forgive us when we fail to raise the roof, carry the stretcher or simply bring someone to You. Go with us today, help us to see clearly, uncovering our sometimes blinded eyes to the world around us, and use us to raise the roof of our own thinking and behaving. Help us raise the roof for a friend…or enemy. In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 