Blog
“Are You A Barrier to Jesus?”
Categories: Bulletin Articles, Clay Gentry
Have you ever been so close to something you desperately needed, only to find an obstacle in your way? That’s the challenge the paralytic’s friends faced in Luke 5:17-26. Imagine wanting to desperately see Jesus – your only hope for healing. Now imagine the people who should be helping you blocking your path. This is the difficult reality of this story and a challenge for us today.
The familiar text begins, “On one of those days, as He was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Him to heal. And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd...” (vv. 17-19a).
This scene forces us, as people of faith, to ask a serious question: Am I an obstacle to someone trying to get to Jesus? Do I participate in gossip that tears others down? Do I judge people unworthy of the gospel based on their appearance, their past, or their struggles? Do I offer a helping hand to those who are hurting, or do I turn a blind eye? These are difficult questions, but essential ones.
It’s easy to point fingers at others, but true change begins with self-reflection. Have we ever been an obstacle to someone encountering Jesus? The truth is that our spiritual shortcomings can sometimes overshadow the grace we claim to represent. But the good news is that God is in the business of transformation. He can soften our hearts, renew our minds, and empower us to love as He loves.
But let’s look at the other side of this coin. Despite the religious leaders being a barrier, the paralytic’s friends were not deterred. “They went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus” (v. 19b). Their faith wasn’t passive or dependent upon others. It was active, bold, and resourceful. They wanted to get their friend to Jesus, and they found a way, even if it meant tearing a hole in the roof! What lengths are we willing to go to get to Jesus? And bring others to Jesus? This is a powerful example of how we should prioritize our faith and the needs of others.
There will be people – even Christians – whose actions and words will challenge our faith. But our faith isn’t in people; it’s in God. Just as the paralytic’s friends bypassed the Pharisees, we can’t let the sinful imperfections of others keep us from Jesus – we must own our faith in Him. Because He is the only one who heals, forgives, and transforms.
This week, let’s commit to reaching out, not pushing away, to being bridge-builders, not wall builders. Reach out to someone who might feel excluded or marginalized. Offer a word of encouragement. Extend a helping hand. Let our actions reflect the love of Christ. Let us strive to be a church where everyone feels welcome, loved, and accepted. And let us remember that our faith is in Jesus, the barrier breaker, who is always ready to receive us.
