In Luke 5 (and Matthew 9, Mark 2), we read a striking story about faith, determination, and community. Jesus is teaching in a packed house, surrounded by Pharisees, teachers, and others eager to hear him. Outside, a group of friends arrives, carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. Their goal is clear: to bring their friend to Jesus. But the house is so crowded that getting through the door is impossible.

Undeterred, these friends climb onto the roof, remove some tiles, and lower the man down to Jesus. It’s a bold move—an act of faith that literally breaks barriers. When Jesus sees this – when he sees the faith of not only the man but his friends – he tells him, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” This surprises everyone, especially the religious leaders, who see it as blasphemy. Only God can forgive sins! But Jesus knows their thoughts and challenges them: “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?” Then, to demonstrate his authority, he heals the man, who immediately stands up, picks up his mat, and walks home, praising God.

This was someone else’s house—it wasn’t a home for the paralyzed man. The space hadn’t been made ready for him, and he had to rely on his friends to break through the barriers in his way. Their faith wasn’t just personal; it was communal. Together, they showed that belonging isn’t about passively waiting for inclusion—it’s about actively creating space for each other.

What It Teaches Us

This story challenges us to ask: What would it take for people with disabilities to feel “at home” in all community spaces? For the paralyzed man, a crowded house was the obstacle. Today, these barriers might take different forms, like inaccessible spaces, exclusionary attitudes, or lack of understanding. The call is the same: how do we actively create spaces everybody knows they are welcomed, valued, and included? To do this well means thinking of who might show up in advance and then having the flexibility and confidence to change things on-the-fly if they don’t go according to plan, or if additional barriers arise.

The friends’ actions remind us that belonging isn’t a solo mission. They carried their friend when he couldn’t move forward on his own. There are times in all of our lives when we rely on the faith and support of others to carry us. This kind of shared faith transforms the entire community, making space for forgiveness, healing, and connection to flourish.

Healing Beyond the Physical

When Jesus forgave the man’s sins first, he showed that healing isn’t just about physical restoration. True healing starts with reconciliation—with being made whole in relationship to God and others. The man’s disability wasn’t the only barrier in the story; the crowd’s indifference was another barrier, one that needed to be overcome for true belonging to happen.

As we think about our own communities, we’re reminded not to assume where or how God wants to work. Healing might look different for each person. Sometimes, it’s about physical restoration. Other times, it’s about repairing relationships, restoring hope, or building a sense of belonging where it didn’t exist before.

Becoming Communities of Belonging

The story of the paralyzed man challenges us to build communities where people who have often been marginalized feel truly “at home.” Belonging goes beyond inclusion. Inclusion might mean making space for someone when they arrive. Belonging means they’ve become so integral to the community that, if they’re not there, they’re deeply missed. It’s about weaving people into the fabric of our lives so that no one feels like an outsider. As theologian John Swinton observes, Jesus didn’t sit with people on the margins – when he met with people, their lives became the epicentre of where God was at work in the world.

How can we do this? By breaking down barriers—physical, emotional, or social—that exclude people. By listening to each other’s stories to deeply understand what healing looks like in our lives together. By working together to build relationships that reflect the love and welcome of Christ. And by remembering that belonging isn’t a solo effort—it’s something we create together.

Note: The development of an early draft of this article was supported by AI, based on a sermon Keith delivered in 2024.