TEAR OFF THE ROOF!

by Pastor Gary Ritchie of One Way Ministries

Last week Susie and I were sitting around the Fire Pit enjoying a beautiful Fall evening. We were listening to the Gospel of Mark when the Lord caught my attention with the story of the four friends who raised the roof to lower their paralyzed friend to Jesus. I have read that story countless times and once again, it seemed fresh and new. As I thought about the story, it seemed as if the Lord was asking me a question. “Do I have

any friends that are paralyzed and need a touch that only God can provide?” Of course, the obvious and easy answer was, “Many, so many.” The second question that was planted in my spirit stung a little bit. “How desperate are you for your friends and family to be healed?”

Let’s be clear! Few of us would be willing to tear off the roof to get someone to Jesus. Financially, it would be a considerable cost. People would think we were crazy. And then, so many questions. “What if God didn’t heal my friend? That would be embarrassing!” “What if the Christian crowd misunderstood my zeal? Would they condemn my actions?” “I can’t appear to be a fanatic. I have a family to support and I have to keep my job.” In other words play it safe.

Yet I come back to the action of four faithful friends. They would not be denied. If I was paralyzed in any way, I would hope I had four friends who were willing to risk it all. I doubt they did a Risk/Reward Analysis. Faith and compassion drove them to just dive into the deep end. And the result was nothing less than spectacular. Before their very eyes, the paralyzed man was healed and he left Jesus’ presence carrying his mat! Wow God!

About a month ago, a beautiful picture unfolded in our service. A young man was attending a Sunday morning service with a large group of his friends. At the invitation, the young man came to the altar. My son was playing the drums as the young man walked the aisle to the altar. Evan left the drums, and went to meet the young man at the altar. What unfolded felt like a repeat of the four friends raising the roof on behalf of their friend. For in that moment, the young man was not the only one who walked the aisle. I did not count, but I am sure five or six young ladies joined this young man as he poured out his heart to the Lord.

Since that week, I have watched the young man press in, seeking Jesus with his whole heart. For at least a month now, he has found himself on the altar crying out to Jesus. The young man paralyzed in different ways, was beautifully healed. He told me last week that his wrestling coach baptized him last weekend. He beamed as he told the story. I talked to a couple of the girls who had walked with Bryce to the altar. I had never met them before but I new they understood their purpose. That beautiful Sunday, they had come to church with a friend in tow, so he could encounter the risen Jesus.

I suspect that God was pleased to see Bryce’s posse move with such faith. It was inspiring to see young people operating with such faith.

The beautiful post script to the story was that Bryce had come to the altar to rededicate his life to the Lord. For three years earlier, during a football devotion, sophomore Bryce surrendered his life to follow Christ. Today, Bryce is still going strong. I suspect Bryce will pass it along as he has friends who are spiritually lame and in need of healing. It would not surprise me that he would call for his posse to go with him to collect his friend and raise the roof, in an effort to the get them to Jesus.

---

If you would like to reach out to Pastor Gary, he can be emailed at pastorgary@onewaydamascus.org

Also, please consider joining our email list at https://www.onewaydamascus.org/mailinglist to receive our newsletter and other info from One Way Ministries!