Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
January 22, 2023
Read Mark 2:1-5
1 After a few days, Jesus went back to Capernaum, and people heard that he was at home. 2 So many gathered that there was no longer space, not even near the door. Jesus was speaking the word to them. 3 Some people arrived, and four of them were bringing to him a man who was paralyzed. 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. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven!”
Good Morning, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost!
Have you ever arrived at an event so crowded that you couldn’t even get to the door or gate? What was your response to the crowd? Are you one who would wait patiently for the group to move forward? Are you one who would work your way forward through the crowd? Are you one who would just walk away because you don’t feel like being part of the crowd?
There is no right way to respond, but it is interesting to think about how we react to such things. I suppose that our response might be different depending on what we are waiting to see or do. For theme park aficionados, there is a phenomenon known as “rope drop”. When the parks open, they typically allow guests to go into the first section of the park where there are shops and concessions to entertain and tempt those with time to kill, but the paths leading to the rides are blocked until the appointed time. For those in the know, they will go straight to where the areas are roped off and wait for the rope to “drop” so that they get ahead of the unknowing crowd to reach the best rides first. No one is doing anything wrong, they are just better informed.
So what about the men who take their friend to Jesus to be healed? I applaud their persistence and innovative way to reach Jesus. They didn’t walk away and say they would try another day, they found a way, and their friend was healed. Amen!
I guess my question today is whether the same groups who know the ropes to get ahead of the group in a theme park are as knowledgeable and persistent in seeking Jesus. Sadly, I don’t see crowds waiting in line to get into our churches. Jesus calls us to make disciples of all the world. We are to show others through our example the way to Christ. We are the rope droppers to eternal life whose mission is to bring as many as we can with us on our journey.
Loving God, Thank You for being with us. Help us find the strength to gather in Your lost sheep. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: With God’s help, I will not hesitate to show others the way to Christ.
Lead the Way! Pastor Liz
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