March 22nd, 2022
by Mike DePope
by Mike DePope

Tuesday, March 22
HEALING FRIENDSHIPS by Dave Dietrich
Mark 2:1-12
After a few days, Jesus went back to Capernaum, and people heard that he was at home. So many gathered that there was no longer space, not even near the door. Jesus was speaking the word to them. Some people arrived, and four of them were bringing to him a man who was paralyzed. They couldn’t carry him through the crowd, so they tore off part of the roof above where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they lowered the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven!”
Some legal experts were sitting there, muttering among themselves, “Why does he speak this way? He’s insulting God. Only the one God can forgive sins.”
Jesus immediately recognized what they were discussing, and he said to them, “Why do you fill your minds with these questions? Which is easier—to say to a paralyzed person, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take up your bed, and walk’? But so you will know that the Human One has authority on the earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed, “Get up, take your mat, and go home.”
Jesus raised him up, and right away he picked up his mat and walked out in front of everybody. They were all amazed and praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”
Reflection
Verse 4: “They couldn’t carry him through the crowd, so they tore off part of the roof above where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they lowered the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying.”
The story never addresses it, but I do have to wonder what the person who owned the house was thinking the moment the roof opened up. I try to imagine calling my AllState agent: “Hey Jim. Yeah, so the Son of God was in my house just chilling with some legal experts when a group of altruistic heathens broke through my roof and lowered in a paralyzed man on a yoga mat. No, he’s fine; but what’s my deductible on this?”
I mean, they tore the roof off. Such was the commitment of these people to their friend; a friend who lacked even the ability to labor, among many limitations, which all the others likely took for granted. Even a prone cynic like me is shaken by the imagery. The passage has one of the more potent descriptors of any story in the bible because it’s so tangible. Granting that the materials and shapes were slightly different given the era, we all still know what roofs look like and how difficult they are to penetrate. This one got torn open.
Soon after we are hit with Verse 9: “Which is easier- to say to a paralyzed person, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take up your bed and walk?” Basically, it’s a miracle for me to forgive another person- though it is completely within my power to do so. I call this “mic drop Jesus.” The speech is bold and astonishing. I am at once in awe and also want to give a raucous ovation. Though we Christians have a tendency to make such gestures a bit awkward at times.
In the first part of the story, it seems I’m supposed to courageously support my friends and neighbors who are less fortunate. But I like to put myself on that mat. Because I’m probably the paralyzed man more often than the one tearing the roof open; paralyzed by relationships, jealousy, doubt, anger, resentment and so on. Which means, when I’m presented an opportunity to be on the roof, I shouldn’t hesitate.
In the end, the man picks up his mat and walks out in front of the crowd. Clearly a watershed moment for the man, but also for humanity. We’re affirmed the power to forgive. And with that power comes the responsibility to use it- a duty to which we are held accountable.
Underlying the entire account is the notion of community. The church is one such example. But is it reflective of the kind of community Mark describes? I fear we may spend more time watching the people work on the roof rather than laboring alongside them.
But I’ve witnessed the extraordinary impact that imperfect humans can have, particularly those in my church. Many have helped me when I’ve been paralyzed to the bone. And as someone who needs a lot of forgiveness, it is fairly miraculous to even be allowed to be part of such a community.
The crowd responds: “We’ve never seen anything like this!”
Jim from AllState replies: “Thanks be to God.”
Questions for Contemplation
Prayer
God, when I am paralized by relationships, jealousy, doubt, anger or resentment, please allow me to take up my mat and walk. Allow me to lean into the communities that you have so graciously allowed me to be a part of. Then, when I see others paralized, help me be a conduit of your grace. Amen
After a few days, Jesus went back to Capernaum, and people heard that he was at home. So many gathered that there was no longer space, not even near the door. Jesus was speaking the word to them. Some people arrived, and four of them were bringing to him a man who was paralyzed. They couldn’t carry him through the crowd, so they tore off part of the roof above where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they lowered the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven!”
Some legal experts were sitting there, muttering among themselves, “Why does he speak this way? He’s insulting God. Only the one God can forgive sins.”
Jesus immediately recognized what they were discussing, and he said to them, “Why do you fill your minds with these questions? Which is easier—to say to a paralyzed person, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take up your bed, and walk’? But so you will know that the Human One has authority on the earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed, “Get up, take your mat, and go home.”
Jesus raised him up, and right away he picked up his mat and walked out in front of everybody. They were all amazed and praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”
Reflection
Verse 4: “They couldn’t carry him through the crowd, so they tore off part of the roof above where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they lowered the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying.”
The story never addresses it, but I do have to wonder what the person who owned the house was thinking the moment the roof opened up. I try to imagine calling my AllState agent: “Hey Jim. Yeah, so the Son of God was in my house just chilling with some legal experts when a group of altruistic heathens broke through my roof and lowered in a paralyzed man on a yoga mat. No, he’s fine; but what’s my deductible on this?”
I mean, they tore the roof off. Such was the commitment of these people to their friend; a friend who lacked even the ability to labor, among many limitations, which all the others likely took for granted. Even a prone cynic like me is shaken by the imagery. The passage has one of the more potent descriptors of any story in the bible because it’s so tangible. Granting that the materials and shapes were slightly different given the era, we all still know what roofs look like and how difficult they are to penetrate. This one got torn open.
Soon after we are hit with Verse 9: “Which is easier- to say to a paralyzed person, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take up your bed and walk?” Basically, it’s a miracle for me to forgive another person- though it is completely within my power to do so. I call this “mic drop Jesus.” The speech is bold and astonishing. I am at once in awe and also want to give a raucous ovation. Though we Christians have a tendency to make such gestures a bit awkward at times.
In the first part of the story, it seems I’m supposed to courageously support my friends and neighbors who are less fortunate. But I like to put myself on that mat. Because I’m probably the paralyzed man more often than the one tearing the roof open; paralyzed by relationships, jealousy, doubt, anger, resentment and so on. Which means, when I’m presented an opportunity to be on the roof, I shouldn’t hesitate.
In the end, the man picks up his mat and walks out in front of the crowd. Clearly a watershed moment for the man, but also for humanity. We’re affirmed the power to forgive. And with that power comes the responsibility to use it- a duty to which we are held accountable.
Underlying the entire account is the notion of community. The church is one such example. But is it reflective of the kind of community Mark describes? I fear we may spend more time watching the people work on the roof rather than laboring alongside them.
But I’ve witnessed the extraordinary impact that imperfect humans can have, particularly those in my church. Many have helped me when I’ve been paralyzed to the bone. And as someone who needs a lot of forgiveness, it is fairly miraculous to even be allowed to be part of such a community.
The crowd responds: “We’ve never seen anything like this!”
Jim from AllState replies: “Thanks be to God.”
Questions for Contemplation
- When was the last time you felt paralyzed?
- Have you ever ‘torn the roof off’ for someone?
- How can Christians better reflect Mark’s description of community?
Prayer
God, when I am paralized by relationships, jealousy, doubt, anger or resentment, please allow me to take up my mat and walk. Allow me to lean into the communities that you have so graciously allowed me to be a part of. Then, when I see others paralized, help me be a conduit of your grace. Amen
Posted in Lent Devotional 2022
Recent
Ain’t Got Nothin’ | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 25
March 29th, 2025
Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 4
March 28th, 2025
i flipped a table once | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 24
March 28th, 2025
I Feel Sorry for Jesus | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 23
March 27th, 2025
The World is Harsh and Beautiful | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 22
March 26th, 2025
Archive
2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10Sending Forth // M-Note 3.15.25Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 2Journey Not Alone | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 11Friends Along the Way | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 12The Loneliness of Fear | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 13Not Through With You Yet | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 14Clinging to Hope | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 15Bring It To The King | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 16Pray When Unsteady | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 17Courage to Stand for Faith | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 18Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 3A Holy Rage | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 19Focus on What is Holy | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 20Fast for Justice and Kindness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 21The World is Harsh and Beautiful | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 22I Feel Sorry for Jesus | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 23i flipped a table once | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 24Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 4Ain’t Got Nothin’ | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 25
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
No Comments