It has been unbelieveably sad at times to watch how their lives have changed, but at the same time, it’s been incredible to watch how they have pulled together to make these last few months count. I’ve watched their faith grow, even as it is being stretched to the limits.
As AJ and I were eating lunch yesterday, her sister called and said their mom wanted to hear the story in the Bible about the man who was sick and his friends lowered him through the ceiling to get him closer to Jesus. We couldn’t remember exactly where the story was, but knew it was in either Matthew, Mark, Luke or John or some combination therein.
So, we did what all good Bible scholars do and did a Google search.
“Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’ The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, ‘Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, ‘Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven, or to say ‘Get up and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…’ He said to the paralyzed man, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God.”
Luke 5:16-26
I hadn’t really read this story in years, although I can remember it being taught in Sunday School year after year. It lends itself to being very dramatic when told with flannelboard figures.
As I read it, I realized that what I had always seen as the miracle of the story was the paralyzed man being able to walk and that’s not what it’s about at all. The miracle is the forgiveness of the man’s sins. The physical healing was just to show Jesus’ power in a tangible way.
It was like something clicked for me and I realized that I spend so much time praying for things. Praying that God will do this or that, but the most incredible thing He can do for me has already been done. He has paid the debt for my sins.
We are a new creation. Our chains have been loosed and we are set free. That’s something that no amount of chemo or surgery or new, improved medical treatment can give. It’s only through Him that we can truly be healed, truly be free, truly be changed and transformed.
Here’s the thing, AJ’s mom gets that. Yes, you pray for the physical healing because miracles happen everyday, but you also pray for His will and find peace in knowing that He is all powerful and sees things we can’t see. The eternal picture.
All we have to do is let go and trust Him.
And find the joy in knowing the greatest miracle of all has already happened.