" And when they could not come nigh unto Him for the press, they uncovered the roof where He was."
In this portion of the Word of God there is a very lovely picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, as Jehovah's perfect Servant. Unwearied and untiring in His love and devotion He is here seen preaching the word to those who were gathered together in the house. Doubtless many had been drawn there, attracted by the wonderful words that He spoke; and others were there to criticize and to find fault. But what we wish to notice more particularly is the four men who came unto Him, bringing one sick of the palsy. They teach us all, as servants of Christ, a most impressive lesson. " Jesus saw their faith." " Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him " (Heb. 11:66But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)). This 'we see exemplified in this narrative. The gathered multitude saw nothing in this, nothing to excite their interest and approval. If only these four men could bring the sick one to Jesus, it mattered little or nothing to them what the multitude might say or think.
1. They were United. Very little would have been done had this not been in their " work of faith and labor of love." 0, that we realized this more in our service! We cannot think of one servant of Christ working independently of another (1 Cor. 1:1010Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Corinthians 1:10)); " Ye also helping together by prayer for us "
(2 Cor. 1:22Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:2)) " Strive together with me in your prayers to God for me " (Rom. 15:33For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. (Romans 15:3)o). By this it will be seen how much the beloved Apostle Paul valued prayer and fellowship in service. I believe this is what will keep God's people united in all their efforts to reach the unsaved, to bring them to Jesus.
2. They were Unselfish. It is beautiful to observe how this is brought out in this incident, when apparently everything was against them. 0 that we thought less and less of ourselves, especially in the light of so many scriptures that bring before us the entire self-forgetfulness of the Lord Jesus! " We then that are strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not Himself " (Rom. 15: 1, 2, 3). Nothing less than this is to be our pattern. " That they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again " (2 Cor. 5:1515And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (2 Corinthians 5:15)).
Of Him it has been written, " Pleased not Himself," ", Humbled Himself," " Gave Himself." What a precious thought to think of Him thus stooping to the lowest depths, and making Himself of " no reputation! " (Phil. 2.).
3. They were Urgent. No time was to be lost; every moment was precious. It may be here said they redeemed the time, " Buying up the opportunity.' That is what the true servant of Christ has to do: he cannot afford to let one opportunity slip without testifying of Christ. May God give us grace to " preach the word; be instant in season, out of season," and in view of the judgment seat of Christ, when all our work will be made manifest of what sort it is, to be filling up each moment with loving devoted service to Him.
" Precious Savior, may I live,
Only for Thee;
Spend the powers Thou dost give,
Only for Thee."
4. They were Undaunted. It was their faith that overcame all the obstacles that stood in the way. They might have reasoned as to how their purpose was to be fulfilled; as to what the Pharisees might think of them. But no, they put aside all that, and unwavering in their faith they step out with the sick of the palsy. They had the assurance that Jesus would heal if only they could come nigh unto Him. We can only preach the Gospel in so far as we know its power for ourselves. " We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen " ( John 3. " I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak " (2 Cor. 4:1313We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; (2 Corinthians 4:13)). May God give us grace to realize the importance of personal dealing with the unsaved, when preaching His blessed Gospel! Thus shall our labors be rewarded, as was that of these four men. " Always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord " Cor. 15: 58).