Luke 5:17-26 has always been one of my favorite stories. It has also always been rather disturbing to me, because of it challenges my neatly packed theological understandings. Joe Graham says these guys must have been college students because their actions here were just plain nuts. You remember the story...Four friends grab their paralyzed bud, fight through the gathered throngs, tear through someone's roof, and lower the guy to Jesus! That's nuts-plain and simple. And because of the friends' faith, Jesus heals the man. That too is nuts. The friend didn't ask for grace and neither did the friends. Jesus knew what was wanted and needed-and he have it freely, much to the dismay of the theological scholars in the house (and to some of those in our day as well).
This story brings up some questions for me today as I work with students who are just as nuts as these friends were nuts. Who do you know that needs to meet Jesus? They may be sick, lonely, depressed, crazy, "lost," or any other number of categories. I know of a bunch where I am located. I wish I could so motivate groups of students to be friends like these! Most in my realm seem to be afraid of their peers with needs. I don't know if it makes them feel mortal to have friends like this or if it challenges their faith in ways that are just too uncomfortable. All I know is that most friends don't surround the needy in their midst with love, care, determination and, most of all, Jesus! I pray they catch this vision!
I pray they will see the obstacles in the way and not let those keep them from the task at hand, but will be nuts and see the obstacles as a challenge that faith can help them overcome!
The problem I have with this passage is theological- how can my faith assist God's grace! I don't know. It flies in the faith of all I think I know about the way God works! This breaks my rules! Such behavior on God's part is inexplicable. But God's graces how God wants, when God wants, and for the reasons God wants. And that's OK with me, because God is God and grace is God's to do with as God will. Thankfully it is not up to me. My only role-your only role-is surrounding my friends and bringing them to Jesus! Who knows when we become the body of Christ? Who knows the effect that we, as the body of Christ will affect those around us?
Only God knows.
So let's go nuts! Let's bring our friends to Jesus!
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