They are breaking the rules

The house was completely full. There was no way to get inside. But these men refused to let the crowd, the walls, or even the roof keep their friend from Jesus. So they did something extraordinary. They broke through the roof. They removed part of the roof and lowered their friend down until he was right at the feet of Jesus.

And Scripture says something that has always touched me deeply: "When Jesus saw their faith…" Jesus did not rebuke them for interrupting the meeting. He saw their faith.

Recently, something happened in our underground online church in Iran that reminded me so much of this story.

Because of security concerns, we have a very important rule for our online church: please do not invite someone new into the gathering without first speaking with us. There is a reason for this. Many of the believers joining us from inside Iran must be extremely careful. Cameras are on. Faces can be seen. Their participation must remain protected. We never want to put one of our brothers or sisters at unnecessary risk.

One evening, I was sharing a message with the church. Normally, I do not give an altar call at the end of these meetings, because almost everyone attending is already a believer. But that night, I felt strongly in my heart that I needed to ask.

So at the end of the message I said: "Is there anyone here who wants to give their life to Jesus Christ? If so, please open your microphone and tell us. We want to pray with you."

Everything became quiet. No one answered. For a moment, I thought, of course no one is responding — everyone here is already a believer.

Then suddenly, one of the people in the meeting opened their microphone. She said, "I am so sorry. I know the rule. I know I was not supposed to bring anyone new into the meeting without talking to you first."

Then she began to explain.

Before joining the church meeting that evening, her neighbour — who was going through an extremely difficult season — asked where she was going. She told her, "I am going to a prayer meeting." Her neighbour asked, "Can I come?" She answered, "No. I am not allowed to bring anyone else into the meeting."

But the woman continued asking. Finally she said something like: "What if you just let me sit quietly in the corner of the room? I won't say anything. I don't need to be on the camera. I just want to listen to the prayers and hear the message."

So our church member agreed. She told her, "You can sit in the corner, but please stay quiet."

And there this woman sat. Hidden in the corner. Listening. Listening to the worship. Listening to the prayers. Listening to the Word of God.

Then came the end of the message. When I asked, "Is there anyone who wants to give their life to Jesus?" something began happening to her. She started trembling. Then she began to cry. Our church member told us, "I couldn't stop her from crying anymore."

And when I asked the person to open the microphone, our member said: "Yes. There is someone here. She is crying, and she wants to give her life to Jesus."

I was shocked. And suddenly, I understood what had happened. Someone had broken the rule to bring her friend to the feet of Jesus. Just like those four men who opened the roof.

We welcomed her. We prayed with her. And that night, this precious Iranian woman gave her life to Jesus Christ.

Please understand what is happening in Iran.

In many places around the world, people have churches on almost every corner. Bibles are freely available. People can openly hear the Gospel, walk into a church, speak with a pastor, or tell others that they are Christians. Yet sometimes the invitation of Jesus is easily ignored.

But inside Iran, we are watching something very different. There are people who know that following Jesus may cost them dearly. And still they are coming.

They are coming because Jesus is preparing their hearts before we ever meet them. They are coming because the Holy Spirit is speaking to them. They are coming because in the middle of brokenness, fear, disappointment, and darkness, they are hearing the voice of the One who says: "Come to Me."

And they are responding. They are breaking through barriers. They are breaking through fear. They are breaking through religious expectations. They are breaking through the darkness that has tried to keep them from Christ.

They are breaking the rules. Not because they are careless. Not because they do not understand the cost. But because when someone truly encounters Jesus, sometimes no wall is high enough, no roof is strong enough, and no human system is powerful enough to keep them away from Him.

This woman was willing to sit silently in the corner of a room just so she could hear about Jesus. And Jesus found her there.

My brothers and sisters, this is the Iran we want you to see. Even where there are few churches. Even where Bibles cannot always be freely distributed. Even where believers must gather carefully — Jesus Christ is building His Church.

Before we reach them, He is reaching them. Before we speak to them, He is preparing them. Before we open the door, He is already standing at the door of their hearts. And sometimes, when the door seems closed, they come through the roof.

Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for praying for the believers inside Iran. Thank you for helping us create a place where people can hear the Gospel, encounter the presence of God, be discipled, worship together, and discover that they are not alone.

Please continue praying for those who are still sitting quietly "in the corner," listening.

We may not see them yet. But Jesus does.