| Monday, December 06, 2004 Meditation Luke 5:17-26 Sometimes, we get to the point where we realize that we are stuck. We have a habit or a fault that we just can’t seem to conquer no matter what we do. It can become so frustrating that we are tempted to despair of ever getting over it. Do you think the paralyzed man in today’s passage may have felt like this? After all, he certainly couldn’t improve his situation. He had to be carried around to wherever he wanted to go. Yet when his friends brought him to Jesus, Jesus wasn’t overwhelmed by his condition. In fact, he seems to have taken it all in stride. With one sentence, he forgave the man his sins, and then, with another simple command, he healed him completely. “Rise and walk” (Luke 5:23). That’s all it took, and the man was healed. This same command echoes to us today as we face our own inner paralyses. Maybe we have old grudges that darken our perspective and drag us away from Jesus. Maybe we find it hard to resist gossiping or telling little white lies to improve our image. Or perhaps we have a prejudice that affects how we treat people, and though we know this is not right, we can’t seem to change. Given the right circumstances, just about anything can paralyze us—little annoying habits as well as serious addictions. We can end up feeling just as helpless as the man in today’s gospel passage. But Jesus took command over his paralysis as if it were just a little cold, and he wants to do the same for us each and every day. No matter what is holding us down, Jesus is bigger. He is powerful even when we feel helpless. He is even strong when we can’t find any more energy or resources to fight. This Advent, let’s not resign ourselves to being bound by chains that keep us from living the life God has called us to. Jesus wants to pour out his healing power upon all of us, just as an earthly father delights in giving his children the best Christmas presents possible. So don’t be afraid to run to him for healing and freedom. “Jesus, I know that you always answer when I call on your name. I know that you came to earth so that we could rise up and walk in freedom. Please come and heal me today, Lord Jesus.” |
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