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How would you feel if people cut open your roof to get in your home?

When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ’stand up and take your mat and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-- he said to the paralytic-- "I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home." And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" -  Mark 2:1-12

Notice that Jesus doesn't get upset about the damage they did to his home. 

I would think that would be the first thing we did, followed by kicking the guy out and demanding money for repairs.

Jesus probably had hoped to relax at home after spending many days out and about preaching and teaching. He was tired. Yet, the people found him and came.

What I find intriguing is that the scribes are always there. They must have followed the crowd to document what this strange man who calls himself God's son did.

Maybe they are the ones who spread the stories about Jesus, the stories the Gospel writers heard and wrote down.

Everyone serves a purpose, I suppose. 

But the Gospel writers focused on the healing. They were charmed by the miracles, probably because that is what the scribes found amazing. What is the meaning beneath them, though?

I am sure God didn't decide to become human to show us miracles. They were a byproduct of his compassion and grace. He wanted us to see something else, something more.

If you want to follow me, do as I do. Accept people into your home. Show them kindness and compassion. Feed them and comfort them. Let them leave with more than they arrived with.

That, I think, is the message behind the miracles.

And we can do those things. We can be Christ for them. We can lead people to Christ.

More to come...