And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. (Mark 2.1)

Is it any wonder that when Jesus wanted to be alone with the Father He would withdraw to lonely places, secluded and deserted? Wherever Jesus went people followed, even to His home. After Jesus had gone on a whirlwind ministry tour he returned home. There the word spread that Jesus was back in town. Jesus was home. And so the crowds came flooding into His home.

Missionaries understand this ministry reality better than most. Today, as in the day of Christ, many cultures still feel comfortable coming unannounced to the homes of important people. The fact that Jesus was home does not denote rest or reclusion, but nearness and accessibility. Jesus was home and therefore available. And so people came. They came in droves. They came and packed themselves into Jesus’ home so that a group of desperate friends had to tear a hole in Jesus’ ceiling to lower a paralyzed friend.

It would be difficult to focus on the need before you when your home is being destroyed. And yet, Jesus the homeward bound is not distracted by the destruction of personal property. Jesus sees through the broken thatch and mud bricks to the need for redemption. Jesus the homeward bound invites the crowds in his temporary home—paralytic and his friends, religious leaders and scribes—to join Him in His homeward journey. Jesus Himself has ripped a hole in the ceiling of their impossible self-salvation schemes and invites them in. Jesus calls them to forgiveness of sin and home.

Jesus, thank you that you saw me in my broken state and have called me home.