Breaking Through Barriers: Finding Your Way to Jesus
- Andrea Ruth Walker
- Apr 25
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 21
In the powerful story of the paralyzed man in Mark 2:1-12, we see an extraordinary example of friendship, faith, and determination. Four friends, unwilling to let obstacles stand in their way, literally tore through a roof to lower their paralyzed friend to Jesus. Their actions not only resulted in physical healing but also in spiritual restoration as Jesus first declared, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
This story invites us to examine our own lives with honest introspection while remaining hopeful about what God can do when we break through the barriers that separate us from His presence.
Mark 2:1-12 (NIV)
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So he said to the man, 11 "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
Who Are Your Friends, do they help you break through barriers finding your way to Jesus?
Look around at the people closest to you. Who have you surrounded yourself with? The paralyzed man had friends who were willing to go to extraordinary lengths to get him in front of Jesus. They didn't just offer kind words or prayers from a distance—they took action. They carried him. When faced with obstacles, they created a new path. They were determined that nothing would stand between their friend and his miracle.
As you work on breaking barriers in your own life, consider whether your friends are helping you find your way to Jesus. Ask yourself: Do the people in your life strengthen your faith or weaken it? Do they encourage you when obstacles appear, or do they suggest giving up? Are they willing to "carry you" during your times of spiritual or emotional paralysis?
True friendship often means doing the uncomfortable and inconvenient to help someone we love receive what God has for them. Sometimes we need to be those friends who help others break through barriers on their way to Jesus; other times, we need those friends in our lives to help us find our own way when the path seems blocked.
Who Are the "Teachers of the Law" in Your Life? The people who are barriers.
In this story, while the friends were creating a way for healing, the teachers of the law were sitting in judgment, questioning Jesus's authority. They were so caught up in their theological concerns that they missed witnessing God's power with open hearts.
We all have "teachers of the law" in our lives—voices of doubt, criticism, and limitation. Sometimes these voices come from others; often, they come from within ourselves. They sound reasonable, even protective, but they can prevent us from experiencing God's power.
These voices might say:
"That's not how things are done."
"What will people think?"
"You need to be more realistic."
"Who do you think you are to expect such a miracle?"
When Jesus performed the miracle, verse 12 tells us, "This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, 'We have never seen anything like this!'" Even the skeptics couldn't deny what had happened before their eyes.
Who Have You Allowed to Stop You from finding your way?
Perhaps the most challenging question is: Who have you allowed to stop you from receiving what God has spoken over you?
Sometimes we give others too much power over our spiritual journey. Their opinions, judgments, or even their comfort becomes more important than our breakthrough. Sometimes we allow our own fears, doubts, or sense of unworthiness to hold us back.
The paralyzed man couldn't get to Jesus on his own—but he allowed his friends to help him. He was willing to be vulnerable, to be carried, to be lowered through a roof in front of everyone. He didn't let embarrassment, pride, or the disapproval of the religious leaders stop him from receiving his miracle.
Breaking Through the Roof
What's your roof? What barrier stands between you and Jesus today?
Is it pride that prevents you from asking for help? Is it doubt that whispers healing isn't possible for you? Is it fear of what others might think? Is it comfort with the familiar, even if the familiar is your mat of limitation?
Whatever your roof, remember this: Jesus saw the faith of the friends and responded. Sometimes our breakthrough comes because we have faith; sometimes it comes because someone else has faith for us when we cannot.
Walking Away from barriers in Victory
The story ends with the once-paralyzed man walking out "in full view of them all." His testimony wasn't private—it was a public declaration of God's power.
Your breakthrough isn't just for you. When you allow God to heal you—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—your victory becomes testimony that encourages others to seek their own breakthrough.
Whatever has you paralyzed today, know that Jesus sees, Jesus knows, and Jesus has the authority to both forgive and heal. Surround yourself with roof-breaking friends, recognize and silence the critical voices, and be prepared to walk away from your mat in victory, giving glory to God.
The crowd declared, "We have never seen anything like this!" May your life be such a testimony of God's transformative power that others will say the same about what God has done in you.
Get free mindset strategies to move forward, find your rhythm, and walk confidently into your new season.
Comments