After Jesus's cousin, John was killed Jesus was very sad
he went away to the top of a mountain to be alone and to pray
after some time he came down again and started preaching and teaching visiting different towns
wherever he went he performed miracles and healed the ill which made the people believe in him more and more
in one town he even healed a man with leprosy
after that people started seeking out Jesus
wherever he went large crowds would gather to meet him
to either see miracles being performed or for people to get healed themselves
one day Jesus reached the town of Capernaum and went into the home of a follower
Word about Jesus coming to the town soon spread everywhere
like in other places here also people came in droves to see him
so many people got into the house where Jesus was that the door also could not be closed
yet people kept pushing trying to squeeze in
in this town, there lived a man who was paralyzed he could not stand or even sit so he kept lying down all the time
I say have you heard that Jesus is in town
Jesus? who is he?
he said to be the Son of God everybody's talking about the miracles he performs and the people he cures
really then we should take our friends to him if he is indeed the Son of God he will surely be able to cure our friend here
of course but how will we take him there are so many people there
it'll be impossible for us to make our way in well we will have to at least try for our friends sake
the two men along with their two other friends sat down to think of a way to carrying their friend to where Jesus was
after a lot of discussions, they decided to make a mat like a stretcher upon which they could lay their paralyzed friend
they set to work and soon they had made a strong mat
they then carried their friend on this mat to the house where Jesus had come
however when they reached the place they became quite disappointed
oh my God, look at the number of people gathered here
I can't imagine how we can make our way through this crowd carrying our friend
let's forget about it and go back
we have come all this way let us at least try to do something
I agree after having taken the trouble to come so far we cannot go back without making an effort to meet Jesus
yes we have to do it for our friend if he is healed it will be worth any hardships that we face
it was finally decided that the four men would try to find some way to get into the house
however, it soon became obvious to them that it would be
impossible for them to push their way through the crowd carrying their friend
what shall we do now?
I don't think the people here will have any sympathy for our friend and allow us to pass
it will be very sad
we have to admit defeat and go back home without meeting Jesus
the paralyzed man was feeling very bad by now seeing how hard his friends were trying but not having any success
you have done enough for me dear friends I am not fated to get well please let's go back now
don't lose heart we are now determined to find a way to make you meet with Jesus leave it to us don't you worry about it
I am not sure if it can be possible but I have an idea
come on tell us we are desperate enough to try anything now
as you can see it is impossible to get into the house why don't we try and get inside from the roof
what? are you mad?
why don't we give it a try I really can't think of anything else right now
the roof of the house he carefully crawled to the middle and then called to his other friends
I think we might be able to do it one of you come up here and help me make a hole in the roof
we can then pull up our friend on the mat and slowly lower him down right where Jesus is what do you say
I say we should give it a try but will we be able to make a hole in the roof
the roof seems to be quite weak there are only some tiles there
one of the friends climbed up to help the one on the roof
both of them carefully removed some tiles and finally managed to make a hole large enough to pass the mat through
we have done it come on you two bring up our friend
the two friends on the ground with the help of the two on the roof lifted their friend onto the roof
once there they started to slowly lower him down into the room where Jesus was
what is this? what is happening? how dare you push yourselves here?
please don't be angry we didn't know how else to get in
our friend is paralyzed we have brought him here to Jesus to heal him
though some people were upset Jesus was very impressed with how the paralyzed man's friends had brought him before Jesus
wait do not be angry with them show some compassion they have come to me with love and faith
and I cannot let them down oh Jesus we have heard so much about the miracles you have performed
and the numerous people you have healed please help our friend
who has not been able to even sit or stand for years please have pity on him?
Jesus looked at the paralyzed man and placing his hand on the man's head
said to him my friend your sins are forgiven
but when Jesus said that the Pharisees and teachers who were gathered there became very angry
they felt that what Jesus was saying was blasphemy
how could anyone other than God forgive a person sins
however, Jesus understood what was going on in their minds
I know what you are thinking of in your hearts tell me
why do you feel that a son of man cannot forgive someone sins on earth
the Pharisees and teachers at each other but no one replied
as you can see This man cannot sit stand or walk what would be easier to tell him
that his sins are forgiven or that he should get up and walk does anyone have an answer to that
again no one spoke up Jesus smiled and said to them
you want to know whether the Son of man has the power to forgive or not
I will prove to you that I am the son of God and can heal this man
saying this Jesus turned to the paralyzed man my friend get up now pick up your mat and go home
when Jesus said this everyone turned to look at the man who stood up and picked up the mat
all the people who had gathered there were stunned
the healed man wept and fell at the feet of Jesus
you are indeed the Son of God praise be to you you are our Savior
the faith of the gathered people grew even more stronger
even the Pharisees and teachers of law seemed impressed with the healing of this paralyzed man
after this more and more people followed Jesus wherever he traveled
Jesus went on to many more towns spreading the word of God and performing many more miracles