Welcome back to our exploration of a familiar scripture through four different sets of eyes. Today we are up to...

Part Two - The Homeowner

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” - Mark 2:1-5

Many people have the gift of hospitality, but our unnamed homeowner in this story has to top the list. First, he opens up his home to Jesus, the roving (and homeless) preacher. Then the crowd starts showing up. I imagine at first it was just a few folks and he thinks, "Ok, we can make room for a few guests." Then more come, and more... until the house is completely packed and there are people overflowing into the front yard. It reminds me of the times we hosted youth events in our basement. After a while the get-together develops a life of it's own and all you can do is wait to clean up the aftermath.

If that wasn't enough of a mess for our accommodating host, four dudes tear a hole in his roof! This was long before the days of Allstate and State Farm, but even if there had been homeowner's insurance, he couldn't claim this was an act of God. God didn't do it, He was sitting in the living room!

This brings up an interesting question. What do you do when following Jesus goes beyond just inconvenience to actually costing you something? Remember, Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." - Matthew 16:24 That cross takes many forms throughout our lifetimes. Is the service worth the sacrifice?

• When someone calls with a problem in the middle of our busy day, do we take time to really hear what they have to say and help them talk through it?

• When someone is struggling financially and God nudges us in the wallet, do we share our hard-earned money to help them out?

• When someone needs a ride and doesn't have a vehicle, do we use our time (and gas money!) to get them where they need to go?

• Are we willing to welcome someone into our home to help them through a time of need, even if that stretches beyond a few days, weeks, or even months?

• Will we use our vacation time to travel around the world to bring God's message and acts of mercy to strangers who don't even speak our language?

In all honesty, these scenarios really fall on the side of inconvenience. Following Jesus may require much more. Are you willing? Is serving Him worth your sacrifice?

I'll leave you with the Amplified Bible's treatment of the verse we looked at earlier...

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. - Matthew 16:24

Is Jesus worth it?

Yes and Amen!
Phil and Pam

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