It may seem a paradox to the human intellect, but when difficult circumstances occur in believers' lives, God can use them to turn into something good (see Romans 8:28).

 

28 And we now know that unto those who love God, all things help them unto good, to those who according to the purpose are called to be saints.

The Paralyzed Man And His Four Friends

In this context, I would like to refer to the story where Jesus was in a house in Capernaum. Inside as in front of that house was a large crowd of people because of His presence, so that it was impossible for many people to even see Jesus Christ. Among the crowd, there was also a paralyzed man who was carried there on his bed by four men.

Though they couldn't get closer to Jesus because of the crowd of people, these four friends decided to go up to the roof of the house where Jesus was and had removed the tiles from the roof in order to place the paralyzed person on his bed in front of Jesus. On that day because of their action the paralyzed man became part of the message of Jesus, which had preached. Jesus preached to them about the power of forgiveness. Through His sermon Jesus confronted the hearts of the present scribes who accused Him of blasphemy.

 

At that time, Jesus served in the anointing of the word of knowledge and the discernment of spirits, so that He revealed the heart attitude of the scribes. Jesus then healed the paralyzed man as a sign of God's forgiving power.

As a result of this healing taking place, the people have seen something that they had never experienced before and thereupon began to enter into the worship of God (see Mark 2:1-12).

 

Mark 2:1-12:
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home.

2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.

3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.

4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things?

9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?

10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”

12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Unlocking The Presence Of Heaven

Without the intent of being admonishing at this point, it unfortunately happens now and then in gatherings of saints that Jesus is there with His presence, but a religious spirit simply keeps the eyes of believers shut as blind, so that the Lord wouldn't get recognized with His presence among His people. Especially in these situations it is essential for saints to rise up against the sneaky influence.

 

Those saints should rise up who understand how to open the heaven by faith, spirit-filled revelation and the power of God's Word in order to remove the covering of slavery (see Exodus 1:14; note: for example, to become righteous out of deeds) and to contribute to a renewed mindset that is activated by applying the blood of Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 9:14).

 

… 14 and they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, making mortar and brick and in all manner of service in the field; all their service, in which they made them serve, was with rigor.

 

Hebrews 9:14:
… 14 how much more shall the blood of the Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from the works of death to serve the living God?

The Four “Gatekeepers”

The four friends who opened the roof of the house can also be described as the four gatekeepers who stayed at the “Parbar”, meaning the annex on the western side of the temple of Solomon (see 1 Chronicles 26:18).

 

18 At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.

The word “Parbar/Parwar” is a Persian word and means “light bringer, open hall”.

Therefore, the four men or friends of that paralyzed man became the stewards of fresh revelation of Jesus' forgiveness, even though they may not have been aware of it.

Their compassionate and active intervention led to the fact that people who found themselves weakened by the adversary from the past can enter into the process of restoration in Jesus Christ, so that resistance gets silenced.

The Number 4 And The Door

It is no coincidence that there were four people carrying the paralyzed person onto the roof.

The Hebrew letter “Daleth”, which has the numerical value “4” and means “door”, carries also the pictographic representation of an “open tent door”.

The opening in the roof was not just any opening. It was like an open door that made it possible for the light of heaven to shine into the house where Jesus was. This light was like a spotlight shining from above onto the Son of God emphasizing the meaning of His message.

Bringing The Paralyzed Circumstance Into The Center Of Jesus

Since the four men were on the roof and therefore could not necessarily be aware that Jesus Christ was in the house exactly where they had opened the roof, it is obvious that their action was taken in faith as it was the guidance of the Spirit to bring that “paralyzed circumstance” into the center of Jesus Christ (see John 6:44).

 

44 No one can come to me unless the Father who has sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day.

It is also interesting to note that there were altogether five men (note: the four friends with the paralyzed man getting healed) who helped to reveal the forgiving power of God. The number “5” is related to “grace”, which is not cheap at all, but powerful, to lead a pure and holy life as well as being the possession of God, which produces good works (see Titus 2:11-14).

 

Titus 2:11-14:
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live temperately, righteously, and godly in this present world; 13 waiting for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a people of his own, zealous of good works.

Conclusion

There are situations in our lives that we should look at from God's perspective in order to be able to be with the right people at the right time in the right place, helping people who are unable to help themselves. This includes the natural and the spiritual dimension, as illustrated by the two friends at the two corners of the back and the two friends at the two corners of the front of the bed (see Galatians 6:1-2).

 

Galatians 6:1-2:
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

It is left up to the particular situation in which the Holy Spirit leads and inspires saints to decide how this assistance is to be provided. Important is that this help or support can be given in concrete terms in prayer for a person or matter for the Lord. It can also be an act of love, which in faith always has an effect in the power of God bringing heaven “down” (see Romans 12:9-13).

 

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

This kind of assistance and support can cause people who are in our environment to gain a greater understanding of the truth (see 1 Timothy 2:4-6).

 

… 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

 

Amen and Amen.

 

In His Wisdom,

 

Daniel Glimm