Mark 2:3-5 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

As many times as I have heard this passage taught, I have not recalled once any telling in which these four friends had risked their own lives. Think of it this way, if Jesus was in your house and these men destroyed your roof, would your first response be to lend them a hand or call the police?

Put the destruction of private property aside for one moment and look at the symbolism. The roof is protective covering, shelter, sanctuary, structure that is meant to make one feel secure. It is a covering over one’s head.

2 Samuel 15:30 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

Covering of the head is a matter of hiding one’s countenance in the face of their own failings, weaknesses, and shame. Here in Mark chapter two these four men destroyed that covering in order to bring their friend before Jesus. These men did more than destroy a roof, they broke tradition.

Up until Christ rose from the grave it was tradition for religious men to cover their heads. It still is tradition in some religions. It is not for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

1 Corinthians 11:7a For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: