Through the Roof
Mark 2

Jesus taught in cities throughout Galilee, and wherever he went, people came to listen to him.  One day he returned to Capernaum, and the house where he was staying became so crowded with people that there wasn't even any room outside the door.

There was a man in Capernaum who was paralyzed.  He could not walk at all.  He hoped that Jesus could heal him, but with the people crowded around Jesus, he thought he would not have a chance to get near him.

The man had four friends who would not give up so easily.  "We will find a way to get you in!" they said.  But people were packed around the door, and the windows were too narrow to squeeze through.  Many houses had an outside staircase leading to the flat rooftop, which was used as an extra room.

"Let's try the roof!" one man said.

The men carried their friend to the side of the house and managed to gently raise him to the roof.  Then they made a hole in the roof and lowered him down on his mat, right into the room where Jesus was.

Jesus saw how much faith the man and his friends had.  He looked at him and said, "Your sins are forgiven."

Some teachers of Jewish law were in the house, and they muttered to themselves, "Why does this man think he can say that?"  God is the only one who can forgive sins."

Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he said, "Is it easier to say, 'I forgive your sins,' or 'Get up and walk'?  To show you I can forgive sins," he turned to the paralyzed man, "get up and walk!"

At once, the man stood up, took his mat, and walked out of the house.  Everyone was amazed and praised God.  "We've never seen anything like this before!" they said.

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(From Classic Bible Stories, A Family Treasury retold by Lise Caldwell (c) 1998 Standard Publishing.  Used by permission.  This book may be purchased at your local Christian Bookstore or from Standard Publishing (800-543-1301).