Mark 2:4

Faith is full of inventions. The house was full and a crowd blocked the door, but faith found a way of getting to the Lord and placing the paralyzed man before him. If we cannot get sinners where Jesus is by ordinary methods, we must use extraordinary ones. It seems, according to Luke 5:19, that the tiling had to be removed, which would make dust and cause some danger to those below; but where the case is very urgent, we must not mind running some risks and shocking some proprieties.

Jesus was there to heal, and therefore, come what may, faith ventured all so that her poor paralyzed charge might have his sins forgiven. Oh, that we had more daring faith among us! Dear reader, can we not seek it this morning for ourselves and for our fellow workers? And will we not try today to perform some courageous act for the love of souls and the glory of the Lord?

The world is constantly inventing; genius serves all the purposes of human desire. Cannot faith invent too, and reach by some new means the outcasts who lie perishing around us? It was the presence of Jesus which excited victorious courage in the four bearers of the paralyzed man. Is not the Lord among us now?

Have we seen his face for ourselves this morning? Have we felt his healing power in our own souls? If so, then through door, through window, or through roof, let us, breaking through all impediments, labor to bring poor souls to Jesus. All means are good and proper when faith and love are truly set on winning souls.

If hunger for bread can break through stone walls, surely hunger for souls is not to be hindered in its efforts. O Lord, make us quick to suggest methods of reaching Your poor, sin-sick ones, and bold to carry them out whatever the risks.