Four Versions of the Lame Man

 

One of the friends speaks:

 

Capernaum was in chaos. Jesus had returned. It was our chance to get our paralysed friend into the house. Alas, the crowds were beyond control, all doors were blocked. We had heard enough of Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom to know lateral thinking was needed: we went up the outside staircase, removed a section of thatch and in the silence of the crowd wondering what was happening as a mat appeared from the roof, we lowered, slowly, very slowly, our hopes, our faith and our friend at Jesus feet. The lateral kingdom made room not just for hope, faith and friendship, but healing too.

Loving God
may we seek your kingdom
in the places we least expect


The lame man speaks:

What a journey - hoisted, swaying and jolting up to the roof - my heart in my mouth - through the roof-hole and down in front of the young preacher but Jesus didn't seem put out by all the upheaval. He looked deep into my eyes saying, "Your sins are forgiven!" The learned men muttered! He turned to me, "Pick up your bed and walk!" This was beyond hope. Before I could think, I was standing beside my stretcher, all the people gaping at me, even the mutterers were silenced, and I was almost out of the house before I realised I was walking.

Loving God
may we trust that your love
can turn everything around
 

 

One of the scribes speaks:

When the man rose to his feet a great cheer went up. People hugged. Others danced wildly. A delirium gripped the crowd. It truly was unbelievable. Had I not seen it with my own eyes I would not have believed it. Seeing our leader fall to his knees, head bowed, his hands touching Jesus’ cloak is a sight which has stayed with me my whole lifetime. I had never felt such overwhelming joy prior to that day and never have since. I wept, my scepticism leaving my body carried away by the tears. In this tumult the Son of God stood and smiled serenely.

 

Loving God
may we dare believe
beyond what we have come to expect

 

 

One of the onlookers:

 

I had managed to get into the house
to listen to him
and he was part way through a sentence
when the dust and stoor came tumbling into the room
We had heard the scraping above us
but didn’t imagine the whole roof was coming in
But it did
and after the thud as the roof fell
the cloud of dust stirred in the air
amid coughing and hush
and caught a beam of light
that fell across Jesus
he paused
and let the world break into his teaching
 
Loving God
May we pause long enough
to hear the world...