The title seems to be a familiar arithmetic equation. Two numerical or factors, when added or subtracted will give a logical result. Our intention is not to teach a new math. But these mathematical assumptions will help us to achieve a goal, ‘fellowship’.
Mark 2:1-12
Let us envision this incident in the setting of a Church. Jesus was in a house, may be a house church. Many gathered there because of Jesus. Among them some are so passionate to hear the word, many to see a miracle, few to experience miracle happening in their life, and some to criticize the preacher, of course, Jesus of Nazareth, son of a carpenter. All of them in one way or other want to have fellowship according to their intention. Some are visionaries and some are accusers. Jesus, on the other hand, uses the pulpit to guide all of them to genuine fellowship which is the mark of an authentic community.
Two insights loom from this incident.
- Jesus appreciates the effort of visionary minorities. The minorities are the four people who carried the paralytic person. They took the risk to overcome the obstacles such as the crowd, the burden to carry the physically challenged person, and to remove the roof. Nobody outside or inside the room was willing to give way for this weak person. Those in and around the ‘church’ were not bothered about this man. They all want to ‘hear’ the word. But those who carry the man were intentionally doing this service in order to see the wholeness brought by Jesus. They are visionaries with conviction of faith. Even Jesus commended the faith of this minority. The minorities are the people who actually paved the way to see changes or healing in the life of the weak, unnoticed, voiceless, and physically challenged person.
- Jesus challenges the reluctant majority to transformation. The majority in the episode are critical or skeptical to what was happening in the ‘church’. They are passive onlookers. They seldom come out in front and speak, rather murmur behind. Not transparent but subtle with conspiracy. The Pharisees and scribes manipulate this group. They always have a mental block towards the ministry of Jesus. This attitude prevents them from experiencing the miraculous healing and the enjoying the fullness of the kingdom fellowship. At the end of the episode (v.12) it says “they were amazed and glorified God”, but the Pharisee and scribes grumbled and gnashed their teeth. How much will the joy be if these reluctant leaders and majority are transformed to participate in this event!
Where do we place ourselves in this episode?
As a church are we the visionary minority or the reluctant majority?
The fellowship in Christ involves visionary minority and the transformed majority.