Day 19: Crazy Courage

And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. Mark 2:4

Friends bring out different aspects of your personality. With some people you might be serious. With others you might do crazy, silly things. The paralyzed man had friends who were serious about ministering to him, even it took some crazy steps to do it. They were ready to do whatever it took to help him.

They had great faith that Jesus could heal the man. At the time, there was no medical treatment available that could cure paralysis. The fact that the friends brought this man to Jesus shows that they believed Jesus had supernatural power.

They were also so committed to helping their friend and confident in Jesus’ power that they did something that looks pretty crazy: they cut through someone else’s roof to get into the house! If their plan hadn’t worked, if Jesus couldn’t or wouldn’t help them, they would have looked pretty foolish.

But it did work, and Jesus blessed their ministry beyond their expectations. They were looking for physical healing, and their friend not only received it, his sins were forgiven, too. Their faith strengthened their friend and provided an opportunity for Jesus to minister to the whole crowd, even to show the skeptics His supernatural power.

Questions for discussion and reflection

  • If you were 100% confident in succeeding, what kind of ministry would you do?
  • Do you believe God can give you the faith to do things that seem crazy?
  • Are you serving in a ministry at North Valley? Check out the opportunities and join a team today! https://www.northvalley.org/ministries

Prayer
Dear God, Give us the same faith of those who brought their paralyzed friend to you, so that we might bring people in need of help to you, just like they did. In Jesus’ name, amen.