That You May Know - Pt 16

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-19 ESV).

Jesus came to minister to individuals and that was one of the reasons that the Jewish population as a whole totally missed seeing that He was their long awaited Messiah. They were looking for a king who would rule and restore their nation, and free them from the bondage they were experiencing under the Roman Empire. However, Jesus came to earth because he deeply cares for individuals. This means that he cares about what you are going through today. Our reading today is the healing of the ten lepers. They raise their voices to get Jesus attention and implore Him saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” They call Jesus by name indicating they recognized Him and therefore knew His reputation for healing people. We can safely presume they had heard about Jesus previously healing a Galilean man of leprosy (cf. Luke 5:15). They also call Him, Master, using epistatēs which means “one who is set over.” This is the only recorded usage other than by the 12 disciples. They recognize Jesus’ authority. It is also significant that they do not specifically ask for healing but instead for mercy. This is a demonstration of humility for mercy is kindness shown to one in great need. This is a plea for pity and action taken to relieve the suffering. But mercy also has an element that recognizes that such kindness is not deserved and so is not demanded. It is a humble request, a plea, an appeal, a prayer. And, it is a prayer that was answered for all ten men. I find it very interesting that only one of the ten returns from showing themselves to the priests as was required by Jewish law. Obviously Jesus knew the results of his healing. He also knew what the response of would be from all those he healed. This means his healing was not motivated in any way by what they might do as a result. They were healed because Jesus took pity on them. He extended grace to each of them regardless of their part in the process. That gives me hope since I know I will never be fit for His grace, but I will always be a recipient. I am His child and He will always give me good gifts, even if it appears as if it is not. My good is secure in Him! That’s the extent of grace!

That You May Know - Pt 15

He went on from there and entered their synagogue. And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”— so that they might accuse him. He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. (Matthew 12:10-13 ESV).

Jesus has just healed the man at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath. Now as He and his disciples pass through a field, they pick some grain on the Sabbath. Picking the grain was not only allowed, it was encouraged as the harvesters left some for travelers as a benevolent gesture of hospitality and compassion. However, this did not go well with the Pharisees. The reason was it was considered a serious violation of the Sabbath Laws. As you may remember, the Sabbath had become a tyranny with hundreds of rules and regulations which laid out in detail what a man might or might not do. The original Ten Commandments of God had been delineated into 613 laws; 248 positive (thou shalt’s) and 365 negative (thou shalt not’s). Jesus was very clear in his discrimination between the spiritual principles of rest and the worship and service of God for which the day was dedicated, and the useless junk of endless hair-splitting distinctions and prohibitions of the Rabbis. We should not the word used her and translated “withered.” It is exerammenen. It is a reference to the passive verb seems to indicate that the man was born with this handicap, but that it was later caused by some accident or injury. According to some extra-canonical source it appears the man was a stone mason, and he asks Jesus to heal him that he could resume working. This certainly lends credibility that this man’s hand could have been the result of an injury. Luke is the only writer to point out it was the man’s right hand. In the Jewish mind, the right hand was a symbol of power and strength. It was used for greetings and to bestow blessing. The right hand was the “clean hand” meaning a good Jew always ate with his right hand. The left hand was used for bodily functions. With apologies to all you who may be left-handed, the left hand was considered the “unclean hand.” Since this man's right hand was withered, he was handicapped physically and psychologically. Jesus felt compassion for the man with the withered hand. But he was angered by the heartlessness and lack of compassion exhibited by the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus’ love for us goes beyond law and regulation. It extends to our hearts, minds, and souls.

That You May Know - Pt 14

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:13-21 ESV).

Our reading brings us to another miracle of Jesus. It is one of the favorites, capturing the imagination of believers for centuries. The real question is why did Jesus do it? Could it be that He merely wanted to display his power; was He telling the people in a very dramatic way that he was God. If Jesus was showing off his divine powers, Matthew missed the point. The feeding of the 5000 in Matthew’s Gospel starts with an explanation of how they came to be in this isolated place needing food. They’d followed Jesus there. And Jesus was escaping from Herod. However, Jesus had a history of withdrawing (anachōreō) from evil rulers. He did so when his family withdrew from King Herod (2:12-14); again when they withdrew from Archelaus to live in Nazareth (2:22); again when he withdrew hearing of John’s arrest (4:12); and, he withdrew when he heard Pharisees were conspiring to destroy him (12:15). He certainly wasn’t doing it to draw attention or boast of his powers. And, it doesn’t look very regal either. How could heaven’s appointed king run from earth’s rulers? Jesus withdrew to grieve, to be alone, to catch his breath, to pray, and to consider what could happen to him. He got no chance to relax. The crowds pursued until they found him. They were probably grieving too, horrified by what had happened to John. Herod’s persistent fear was that the Jews would revolt (v. 5). If Jesus wanted to lead a revolt, now would be a good time. Surely it was time to take earth’s kingship from the rulers who resist God’s reign, killing any who dare question their authority. That’s how this crowd thought. John’s Gospel says they were ready to use forceful means to make Jesus their king (John 6:15). But Jesus refused to fight. Whatever he was feeling over John’s death, he turned that emotion into compassion for the crowd who lived under such unjust rulers. His energies were directed not into avenging his cousin’s death, but into caring for the frail who’d struggled to reach this desolate place.

That You May Know - Pt 13

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. (John 5:1-9 ESV).

Our reading details Jesus’ encounter with the man at the pool of Bethesda. It is a fascinating story. Here was a man afflicted with infirmities for thirty-eight years whose excuse for his prolonged condition that he had no one to help him get into the pool (v. 7). I have often wondered where was his family, or friends? That aside, I have always been intrigued by the preceding verse more. Here Jesus asks him if he wants to be well (v. 6). It seems to me that Jesus’ question spoke to the man’s will. I’ve known some people who do seem to like the role of victim. They seem to constantly retell and reliving all the negatives that have happened to them. They themselves will admit that such a state is stressful and make them unhappy, yet no matter how many people have tried to help them move along in their lives, they are stuck. Like the man at the pool, their total identity is now wrapped up in their condition; it defines them. This man was no longer called by his name. He was now the man at the pool. Here is the great revelation concerning the character of Jesus. It is not His will to leave us in our present state. He comes with the desire and power to change us. It is important to note that Jesus did not ask him if he wanted to be healed. That would only address his current infirmities. He asked the man if he wanted to be made whole. John Gill, in his Exposition on the Bible, says the idea that the question addressed the issue of timing: “Wilt thou be made whole on this day?’ which was the Sabbath.” Not only could he be made whole, but he could be made whole today if he so desired. Jesus asks the same question of us today. I don’t know what condition holds you captive today, but whatever it is, you do not have to be known by your condition. While it may be tempting to stay in our dysfunctions because we have had them for so long rest assured that Jesus can set you free today. That’s who He is. That’s what He can do! He can do the same for you and me. He is just that kind of God. Therefore Believe!

That You May Know - Pt 12

As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” (Luke 8:43-48 ESV).

In our reading today we see Jesus heal a woman who had “a discharge of blood” (v. 43). It is true that the miracle shows the determination and desperation of this woman to press through the mass of people to just simply touch Jesus. However, we must not mistake the lesson to be in the effort the woman used to reach Jesus. It was not her determination that healed her. It was the fact that Jesus noticed her. It shows the deep compassion and care of Jesus to recognize this woman’s need in the “press” of the crowd. Jesus emphasized the faith of this woman as the reason for her perseverance. It, of course, makes sense that in the absence of faith, healing may not take place. But Scripture reports that healings did not take place in a variety of other situations. The Apostle Paul is perhaps the clearest example of this fact (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9). Our lesson is in the truth that God cares much more about our character than our physical bodies. Sometimes we fail to recognize the omniscience of God. His look is so much greater that we misunderstand our temporary pain for mere evil rather than the purpose and plan of God to work good in our lives (cf. Romans 8:28). The lessons about healing may direct our focus. When Jesus was told that His friend Lazarus was sick, he remained where he was for two more days, saying, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory. . ." (John 11:4). When Jesus arrived at the location, Lazarus was dead. Instead of healing Lazarus, Jesus raised Him from death. We may miss Jesus' very important message if we are focused only on being healed from our disease and not on the Savior who heals. We must capture the thought that God is compassionate and merciful and that nothing is impossible for Him. He has authority over all disease and sickness and can choose to heal whomever He chooses, whenever He chooses. It is a matter of trust. In trusting Him we are in the safest possible place, regardless of our present pain. Hang on to the thread!

That You May Know - Pt 11

And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. (Matthew 9:1-8 ESV).

This is perhaps the most preached of all Jesus’ healing miracles. The story of how the four faithful friends brought the man to Jesus, going as far as to tear the roof off to get him to Jesus, is inspiring. However, we must not miss the message of Jesus in view of the great work of the friends. Remember, this man could not walk; he could not approach Jesus on his own. So, the friends brought him into Jesus’ presence. They carried him. They did this in order that he might be healed, restored, brought back to fullness. The paralytic man contributed nothing to his healing; but neither did the friends of the paralytic. It happened because of the work of Christ. Of course I am not discounting the enormous contribution of these men in the bringing of their friend to Jesus. Their commitment to do whatever it took to get their friend to Jesus is an inspiration to us today. It does help us to better understand the role of the inviting and welcoming church. We might even entertain a better understanding of those who bring infants to the waters of baptism. Babies cannot come by their own strength. The unchurched and non-believing persons shrug off the notion of worship and prayer. Such are those, infants and unbelievers, they are the ones who depend upon the faith of others in order that their sins may be forgiven. However, we must realize it is through the faith of others, that they encounter the One who overcomes sin through the power of his healing grace. Sharing faith is central to living a Christian life, for it is through the faith of others that we first came to the life of freedom from shame and guilt. Through the faith of others, we encountered Christ who has forgiven our sins. Through faith, we too bring people to Christ, where sin is defeated and life is restored. Jesus has that kind of power. Won’t you trust him for that freedom today!

That You May Know - Pt 9

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” (Matthew 8:23-27 ESV).

The story of Jesus calming the storm is told in the three Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Jesus had been teaching near the Sea of Galilee. Afterwards, He wanted a respite from the crowds so decided to take a boat with the apostles to the opposite shore where there were no large towns (cf. Mark 4:35-36). The Bible reports not long after they sailed, Jesus fell asleep and a storm arose (cf. Luke 8:23). There are two things we learn about the character of Jesus from this miracle. First, we see the true humanity of Jesus. Notice he was tired and needed some rest away from the crowds of people (v. 24). Even the storm did not wake him. This should help us realize that Jesus was genuinely human with the same basic needs we all have. Christ’s humanity is part of what qualifies Him to be our merciful intercessor between us and God the Father. I often find myself closest to the Lord when I am able to withdraw from the “noise” that seems to surround me. Regardless of how you find the peace of Jesus, please spend time each day doing just that. He knows what your circumstance really feels like. He’s “been there and done that”! Trust Him to calm the storm. I also find it surprising that the disciples were so afraid. When Jesus “gave orders to go over to the other side” (v. 18), He knew the storm was coming. He is omniscient (cf. John 2:25); even with a storm brewing, He decided to launch out to sea. The Lord never promised we will never see a storm in life. In fact, He has told us to expect trouble (cf. John 16:33). However, He has promised that He will be with us in the storm. He will never leave His children alone in the midst of trouble. His promise is to get us to the other side (cf. John 14:1-6). Second, this also reveals the divinity of Jesus. Only God can make the “winds and water obey” (cf. Luke 8:25). With one quick word from Jesus, the storm abated and the sea became calm (cf. Mark 4:39). The apostles marveled at this powerful display of Jesus’ supernatural ability over the elements (cf. Luke 8:25). This can be immensely comforting to the Christian in a storm. Faith in Christ is never misplaced. If He can calm the storms of the sea with one word, He can calm the storms of life as well.