Ancient sailors often spoke of a mysterious glow that appeared on the mast of their ships before a storm. Known as St. Elmo’s Fire, this eerie light was caused by a buildup of electrical energy in the air. Seasoned sailors knew that when this glow appeared—and when their hair began to stand on end—a lightning strike was coming. The atmosphere was charged.

That must have been the kind of spiritual atmosphere in Capernaum the day this passage in Mark took place. The house was packed. The curious crowd pressed in. The skeptical scribes sat in the corner, watching Jesus closely. The tension was thick. Something powerful was about to happen. But this wasn’t St. Elmo’s Fire. This was the fire of the King of Kings. When Jesus is in the house, the miraculous becomes possible.

Suddenly, dust began to fall from the ceiling as four men started to tear through the roof—lowering their paralyzed friend into Jesus’ presence. The crowd watched, stunned. Jesus spoke. The man stood. And the room erupted: “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”

When we gather as a church, it should be a roof-raising experience. It should leave people amazed—not at us, but at what God is doing among us.

This passage shows us three things needed for that kind of breakthrough moment:

• A Savior who saves.
• A preacher who proclaims truth.
• A people with bold, relentless faith.

Reflection Question:

What would it look like for Gateway to become a “roof-raising” church? How might God be calling you to bring someone into His presence with bold, barrier-breaking faith?

Prayer Focus:

Pray that Gateway would be filled with the kind of faith that tears through obstacles to bring people to Jesus. Ask God to make you like one of the four—someone who refuses to stop short when others need His healing and hope.