Have you ever heard that every story has two sides? Well, it’s true. Today we will look at the other side of my devotion “Whatever It Takes.” In Luke 5:17-26, we have the account of a man who had four friends that were determined to get him to Jesus. They would not stop until they had accomplished their goal. As a last resort, they tore a hole in the roof to lower the man into the presence of Jesus. Today we will think about what those in the room must have thought.
It is no secret that Jesus drew a crowd wherever he went. On this day they were in a home, and many were present from all around the area. Many Jews were there because it mentions Pharisees and doctors of the law. I’m going to take some liberty here to think about what might have been. Primarily because this is what I see today!
- The Material Minded
These would be those that looked up and saw the destruction of the roof. I can imagine the wagging tongues that were telling everyone how these four men destroyed this man’s roof. Their concern was not for the well-being of the man, but for the material things. These would be like those in Mark 4:18-19. Their lust for things destroyed their desire for Christ. Jesus commands us in I John 2:15, “love not the things of this world.”
Mark 4:18-19 “And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”
I John 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
- The Proper Minded
These would be those who were upset because the teaching was disrupted by those lowering a man into the middle of Jesus’ “speech.” “This is just not the way we do things here, how dare they.” These Jews were more tied to their tradition than they were to seeking Jesus. In the church in Acts 15, they were very upset because Gentiles were being reached with the gospel. The tradition of circumcision was more important than reaching others for Christ. Traditions, fostered by pride, caused the Jews to miss the greatest gift God ever gave, Jesus.
Act 15:5 “But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
- The Self-Minded
These would have been those that were disturbed because this intrusion into this speech caused it to go longer than normal. Their response sounded like this; “these people should have waited until the speech was over to talk to Jesus,” or “don’t they know it’s almost time to eat besides that, I have plans this afternoon, this service is going way too long.”
Philippians 3:19 “Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.”
Our churches are full of these types of people. I guess this type of follower didn’t think God knew what he was doing when he sent Philip to Ethiopia to lead the Eunuch to Christ. Read Acts 8:26-40 for the most amazing conversion experience. We have here the first Superman! Philip obeyed, and the Ethiopian Eunuch was saved.
Maybe they forgot about the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:20-34. Paul and Silas had been thrown in jail for preaching Christ. God caused an earthquake and the result of these, “whatever it takes” Christians, was the salvation of the guard and his whole household.
Many others became followers of Christ in an unconventional setting. Think about Lydia in Acts 16:13-15. I could go on throughout the Bible, but I think you get the picture. God is not bound by our customs or desires. He is concerned with the souls of men, women, boys, and girls. That is all that matters. There will always be critics in every situation, but you don’t have to be one of them. Pay attention to where Jesus is working. Follow his lead and forget about whether it is affecting the material aspects of your life. It doesn’t matter if it’s the traditional way to reach people if the true gospel is given. Furthermore, you certainly don’t want to be in this last group of self-minded. We are to worship in spirit and truth, not in comfort or convenience.
Examine your own self when worshiping, are you one of these?
