Breaking Through

Mark 2:1-12

“And when they had broken through…” Most weeks in revival I pray for a break-through.  I pray for God to break through our pride and predetermined expectations and do something that can only be blamed on Him.  But…break-throughs can be costly.  The roof repair in Mark 2 was no small thing.  But they were willing to do whatever was necessary to get to Jesus. 

God does the saving and healing…But we have to put forth effort to get to Jesus.  The Paralytic was brought to Jesus.  Your breakthrough will end at Jesus – but you may have to put forth some effort to break through barriers before you get there…

They broke through the crowd.

This is nothing short of a miracle.  They’re carrying a paralytic and we don’t know how far they had already traveled.  When they arrived there was a crowd like Walmart on Black Friday eve. They were tired already.  But then the crowd wouldn’t budge and they’re still carrying their friend.  Crowds, critics, confusion, congestion… It’s enough to make folks wanna go back home saying, “It was too crowded…we’ll go back later” And the fella on the cot is asking, “When?”

They broke through the roof.

Jesus saw their faith.  Everybody else saw a hole in the roof.  Jesus saw their faith.  Others saw the mess they were making.  Jesus saw their faith.  Some saw the cost to repair it all.  Jesus saw their faith. There was no applause…no cheers…no praise choruses…no amens…yet Jesus saw their faith.  They broke through the roof for one reason – To get to Jesus.  If you are willing to do whatever it takes to get to Jesus, don’t expect the world to get out of the way.  You’ll have to fight the crowd and be criticized for tearing up the roof.

They broke through the unbelief.

Can you imagine the opposition, negativity, and unbelief they faced as they journeyed to Jesus carrying their friend.  The only way to break through unbelief is by believing. They believed…all 5 of them.  And by the end of the story, they all gave glory to God.  Walls of unbelief are everywhere…in this story imagine how many times they were faced with unbelief - “It’s too far to carry him.”  “It’s too crowded.”  “You can’t do that.”  Don’t let anything or anyone keep you from Jesus.  Ever.  The four believed…and the paralytic believed and was made whole.  

I have a friend, Mike, who was addicted to alcohol for many years. He was drinking three 6-packs a day for longer than he could remember. One night he was sitting at the computer, listening as the Statler Brothers sang Amazing Grace.  As strange as it may sound, God reached out and touched him through that song.  He called his wife in the room…prayed and in a matter of seconds was saved from alcohol.  God still saves and delivers immediately.  Breakthroughs still happen - but it seems we have to be desperate.

Count Your Complaints

1 Corinthians 10:1-5  Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

The people of God  started out surrendered but finished up bewildered.  That’s the work of the Devil.  Satan is a master at scattering families and churches, at dividing and conquering.  The people of God had been rescued and had been sheltered safe in the arms of God, but  were soon scattered far and wide.  What happened?  They were under the cloud and passed thru the sea.  They ate and drank the same spiritual food.  The Lord God was with them. But with many of them God was not pleased.  They complained about at the report of spies who searched out Canaan.  They wished they had died in the wilderness.  They wanted to choose a captain and go back to Egypt. 

And, so, they were scattered.  It’s hard to imagine, knowing what we know from scripture, that these folks couldn’t see the hand of God in their lives.  These few verses attempt to describe the protection of God’s people as they were “under the cloud and all passed through the sea.”  Yet many, if not most, complained.  And how are we any different today?  Very little.  

Just for fun, take a minute and think of all the ways you are blessed.  Think of all the things God has brought you through.  Think of all the good people God has placed in your life.  Count your blessings.  

And then, for a minute or two, count your complaints.  The house is too small.  The car is to old.  Prices are too high.  The kids are too high maintenance.  The job is too demanding.  The paycheck is too small.  The list of complaints is much too long.  

Can we, like God’s people in the wilderness, not see God’s hand?  Too often, we can’t or don’t.  Rather than resting in His protection, we are focused on the problems.  God help us.