Eighth Sunday After Pentecost: Jesus Is Better Then Ice Cream

Mark 2:1-4

And when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.

Have you ever heard the catchy jingle “What would you do for a Klondike Bar?” In case you do not know what one is let me describe one to you.

It is a huge hunk of creamy vanilla ice cream covered in a delicious, chocolatey shell. In the words of the Klondike company themselves, “It’s the ultimate ice cream bar. It is the best thing to happen to ice cream since, the invention of ice cream.”

People will go to incredible lengths to obtain the delectable ice cream sandwich. In fact, there is a famous example of an expecting couple who agreed to give the their first born child the middle name of “Klondike” in exchange for a life-time supply of Klondike Bars. Personally, I find that extreme. But to some people, most anything would be totally reasonable in order to get their hands on the tantalizing treat.

In the passage of Scripture I just read, we are introduced to a man of remarkable faith and resolve. Despite his paralysis, he was determined to see Jesus. Even though he had four to carry his bed to Jesus, another obstacle stood in his way: the crowd. How can you bring this man to see Jesus when there's no room in the house? Once more , we see the resolve of these people.

They took him to the roof and started breaking apart the ceiling in order to lower him down. What a remarkable example of the lengths some people went to see Jesus. And he wasn't the only one! Zaccheus climbed a sycamore tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus. A woman with an issue of blood pressed through a crowd just to touch the hem of His garment.

Jesus' message of hope, and His miraculous works were definitely worth all the hoops they jumped through.

What about us? What would we go through in order to spend time in Jesus Presence? Thankfully, we don't have to climb a tree or destroy a rooftop in order to get to Jesus, but there are still some obstacles that we may have to overcome in our own lives. Maybe you have a busy schedule. Could sacrifice some of your time in order to commune with God? Perhaps there are some friends that hinder your spiritual walk. Could you cut ties with someone in order to walk closer with the Saviour. People would do crazy things for a Klondike Bar, but Jesus is so much better than some mediocre ice cream sandwich.

Don't let anything stand in your way between you and Christ. What would you do just to spend time with Jesus?