Our Scripture reading today is Luke 5:17-19.
Verse 19, "And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus."
This had to have been the talk of the town for days if not weeks. It would have made the front page of the newspaper for sure. A group of men lowering their palsy ridden friend down through a hole in the roof right to the feet of Jesus Christ. Due to the number of people also wanting to get to Jesus, they had to take extreme measures. Spurgeon spoke of the quality of men who would bring a friend to Jesus in such a way: “They need be strong, for the burden is heavy; they need be resolute, for the work will try their faith; they need be prayerful, for otherwise they labor in vain; they must be believing, or they will be utterly useless.”
We learn from these men that we must be leading people to Jesus Christ. Invite them to church, yes, but don't forget to lead them to Jesus. The church cannot forgive them of sin, but Jesus can! Matthew 1:21, "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." The church cannot fill the void in their heart, but Jesus can! This is not to diminish the importance of the church, but it IS meant to maximize the importance of the Son of God.