Rip the Roof Off: Friends Who Bring You to Jesus

Hey, carpool crew, whether you're chilling under the shade at the park or buckled in with a Slurpee in your hand, I'm Pastor Justin and I'm so glad you're here. Today's story is wild, like ripping off the roof of a house kind of wild, and at the center of this is something powerful: friendship, faith and what it really looks like to love someone enough to help them get to Jesus. I wanna look at Mark chapter two, verses three and four. Here's what it says. They came to him bringing a paralytic carried by four of them. Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him and after digging through it, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying. This comes from the Gospel of Mark, written by John Mark, a close friend of Peter, and it's the shortest and most action packed of the four gospels. His goal: show people fast and clear who Jesus really is. In this story, Jesus is back in Capernaum, a little fishing town where he did a lot of ministry. He's teaching inside a packed house. I mean, standing room only. You couldn't even wiggle through the door. Now, this is where it gets amazing. A group of four friends has a problem. Their buddy can't walk. He's paralyzed, and they know, they believe that if they can just get him to Jesus, something incredible can happen. But the crowd is in the way. So what do they do? Well, they do what you probably would've done. They climb on the roof and they dig through it. They do whatever they have to, to lower their friend on a mat right in front of Jesus. No excuses, no giving up. Just love, determination and faith in Jesus that he can help their friend. And what does Jesus do? He's so moved by their faith that he heals their friend both spiritually and physically. If Jesus were here in the backseat with you right now, I think he'd smile and say, be the kind of friend who helps people get closer to me and let your friends do the same for you. He'd also remind us that sometimes your faith helps someone else get healed, encouraged or changed. Don't give up. Dig through the roof if you have to. So what does this look like for you? Well be a faith-filled friend. If someone you know is going through a tough time, pray for them. Invite them to church. Include them so they're not alone. That's lifting them up just like the friends on the roof did. Also, don't give up when it gets hard. Maybe someone you care about doesn't believe in Jesus yet. Keep showing them his love through your words and actions. God can work through your faith. Let others help you too, just like the man on the mat. Sometimes we're the ones who need help. That's okay. Be open. Let your friends and family bring you closer to Jesus when you feel stuck and sad. Faith isn't just personal. It's something we carry together, and real friends help each other get closer to Jesus, even if there's a roof in the way. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And parents, if you love Carpooling with Jesus, share it with a kid's pastor or someone else you see this weekend. And before you go, answer this question together, who are your roof friends, people who bring you closer to Jesus? I'll see you next episode on Carpooling with Jesus.