How Far Will You Go to Bring Friends With Disabilities to Jesus?

A fervent desire to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ with others should lie at the core of every believer. This mission should know no boundaries, transcend obstacles, and face challenges with resilience and fortitude. After all, the gospel is for everyone. The biblical account of the paralyzed man and his faithful friends epitomizes this unwavering resolve to bring all people to Jesus.

In the Gospel of Luke (Luke 5:17-26), we encounter a powerful demonstration of deep friendship intertwined with unwavering faith—faith in Christ and faith in the bonds of friendship. This scene begins with Jesus teaching inside a house, surrounded by a great multitude of people eager to hear His words. According to Mark’s account, “There was no more room, not even in the doorway” (Mark 2:2, CSB).

On the edge of this imposing crowd was a paralyzed man, lying on a mat, unable to move or walk. There is not much information regarding the circumstances surrounding his paralysis. We don’t know if he was paralyzed since birth or if an accident caused his paralysis. Regardless, from a historical context, we know someone with disabilities in ancient Israel would have a solitary, hopeless, and bleak life. They would be completely dependent upon others for every aspect of existence, especially ambulating through a crowd.

Facing obstacles

As this paralytic and his four friends arrived on the scene, we must imagine they were immediately filled with discouragement and perhaps despair, realizing their plan of getting their friend to Jesus wasn’t going to work. They were physically committed to the demanding effort of carrying a man and a mat in hopes of seeing Jesus. And they were emotionally committed to believing what Jesus could do for the paralytic. Yet, they could not get their friend into the house where He taught. Still, they refused to give up.

Undeterred by the crowd or the logistical challenges, these four men carried their friend to the roof of the house, seeking a way to bring him to and introduce him to Jesus. Once on the roof, they face yet another obstacle: the roof itself. They demonstrate extraordinary resourcefulness and determination by dismantling the roof and lowering their friend and his mat down into Jesus’s presence.

The friends’ dedication becomes the impetus for a remarkable encounter. In response to their faith-filled initiative and resolve, Jesus demonstrates His divine authority by forgiving the paralyzed man’s sins and healing his physical infirmity. This miraculous healing serves as a testament to the power of faith and the compassion of our Savior.

But perhaps equally significant is the example the friends set by refusing to let obstacles hinder their mission. Their faith was a persistent faith. Their actions speak volumes about the depths of their friendship and the urgency of their mission. They embody the essence of selflessness, willing to inconvenience themselves for the sake of another’s well-being. Their commitment to bringing their friend to Jesus transcends physical barriers, reflecting a profound spiritual truth: the boundless love and compassion of Christ knows no limits.

Implications for the church

Yet perhaps we learn the greatest lesson in this story from what we don’t read. Before wrecking a roof and carrying this man up a flight of stairs, these friends opened their lives and hearts to a man society overlooked. They were willing to intertwine their lives with that of the paralytic, recognizing his value and dignity despite what society affirmed. They saw a person; they saw a friend, who desperately needed Jesus.

What implications does this narrative hold for followers of Christ? First, it challenges us to examine the depths of our commitment to sharing the gospel with others, especially those society may marginalize, overlook, and undervalue. The four men who carried the paralytic to Jesus did not base their level of effort or commitment on what the paralytic could offer in return, nor did they consider the negative societal implications of associating themselves with the paralytic.

Second, it prompts us to reflect on the lengths we are willing to go to bring others to Jesus. Reaching the unchurched with the gospel can be physically, emotionally, and spiritually demanding, yet that is what Christ has commanded us to do. We must ask ourselves: Are we willing to step out of our comfort zones, overcome obstacles (both physical and societal), and persevere in prayer and action for the salvation and restoration of those around us? Are we willing to embody the same spirit of selflessness and determination these friends demonstrated? Will we invest in relationships with people who don’t act, talk, walk, or look like we do? Will we befriend others regardless of their abilities?

Willing to wreck the roof

The story of the paralyzed man and his friends serves as a poignant reminder that our mission as followers of Christ is not merely to proclaim the gospel with words but to demonstrate it through our actions. It compels us to be catalysts for transformation in the lives of others, extending the love and grace of Jesus to all, regardless of their abilities, circumstances, or limitations.

As we consider the profound example these friends set, may it inspire us to cultivate a deeper passion for bringing all people to Jesus. May we relentlessly pursue the lost or hurting, knowing our efforts are never in vain in the kingdom of God. And may we be willing to go to whatever lengths necessary, including wrecking the roof, to bring others into the life-transforming presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ.