Something’s got to break: Five rules to be broken

Mark 2:1-12 1  And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.  2  And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3  And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4  And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5  When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 6  But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7  Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 8  And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9  Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10  But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11  I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 12  And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

Most of the miracles Christ performed in His earthly ministry were cases of individual or His engagement.

Few of His miracles were as a result of representation being made by others for the need of a particular person.

• Jairus on behalf of his daughter

• The Centurion on behalf of his servant to name a couple.

  
  

This one is of particular interest because it highlights not just a concern but the power of communal interest and action in seeking change on behalf of someone.

The Bible did not give us any indication of the dialogue between the men or the initiation of their action but it has given us enough that can suggest to us the most important aspects of this miracle.

1. There are individuals who need to have an encounter with Christ and would need the intentional effort of some to facilitate it.

   
   

2. The process of facilitating an encounter with Christ requires a commitment to personal cost for the benefit of someone else.

   
   

3. Our efforts to facilitate someone meeting Christ will be challenged with obstacles both human and structural.

   
   

4. The person in need must gain confidence in us that their weight, obstacles or the journey would not deter us.

   
   

5. Obstacles are not there to stop us but to prove our commitment to the process.

   
   

6. Obstructing persons must be intentionally bypassed and hindering structures intentionally broken for those in significant distress to find relief.

   
   

7. The victory of many is connected to our deep conviction and faith that once they are in God’s presence they will be transformed.

Conclusion

Historically we saw the roof broken but I want to submit to us a few rules that were broken that we must break today.

Five (5) rules to be broken

1. Selfish Christianity:

   Focused on things that benefit me.

   
   

2. Sacrificial reluctance:

   Would not be inconvenienced by someone else’s need

   
   

3. Fruitless routine:

   I am comfortable just being in the presence without anything to show

   
   

4. Resistant structures:

   Systems that have made Christ inaccessible for the desperate

   
   

5. Limiting expectations:

   Those who will seek to limit the impact of God on your life to fit their own religious box.

   
   

6. Suspicious mind:

   Those who desire relief must trust those sent to their aid and trust the process.

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