An Exciting Interruption

Interruptions are breaks in the flow or action. Sometimes interruptions are disturbing, but sometimes they are delightful. In fact, interruptions can even be catalysts or sparks for revelation or whatever God has at the moment.

It is only reasonable that many exciting interruptions occurred in the life of Jesus—because He Himself is the most exciting interruption of all times. God entered the ebb and flow of human life and changed both individuals and history.

On one occasion, Jesus was on the way to heal the daughter of a ruler in the synagogue named Jairus. Jairus had sought Jesus, saying, My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come. . . . (Mk. 5:23b NKJV)

The ministry of Jesus was popular at the time—but the huge crowds that followed Him often milled about with no concern for people who were lost in the crowd and seemed insignificant. One such person was a woman afflicted by a flow of blood for twelve years. (v. 25b) No one paid attention to her or her need. The only way she could receive from God was to press forward—to interrupt Jesus when He was on His way to do something that others thought was more important.

Jesus did go with Jairus to heal the little girl—He raised her from the dead. That was important. But first He responded to the woman and the interruption she imposed. He said, Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction. (v. 34)

Originally published May 1, 1992.

Emotional Wounds

Most of us do not deal well with emotional wounds. We are afraid to let others know our hurts. So we suppress them—or we cover them up with anger—or we analyze the offending person, perhaps make excuses for them because we love them.

But none of these actions removes or heals our wounds. Suppressing hurts causes inner turmoil that usually intensifies damage. Anger complicates everything. Rationalizing other people’s behavior might help us accept hurt—and keep us from becoming bitter—but it does not promote healing.

God has a remedy but it will not work if we deny our feelings—or if we are angry—or even if we make excuses for the other person. It is called forgiveness, and it means admitting both our woundedness and the other person’s sin—and choosing to forgive anyway.

Jesus said, And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your treapasses. (Mk. 11:25 NKJV)

Forgiving requires looking to Jesus because He gives us power to forgive. But the first step is acknowledging our wounds. We will not be open to healing unless we know we need it.

Originally published January 2, 1987.
Picture: Como Park Conservatory, St. Paul, MN, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Good Comes from Problems?

The Bible tells us that bad things can—not will, but can—turn into something good if we love God. . . . (Rom. 8:28b TLB) It's even true when bad things happen because we've sinned. God has a solution if we allow Him to enter the mix.

The prophet Hosea understood problems caused by sin as opportunities for receiving reconciliation from God. He said, Come, let us return to the Lord; it is he who has torn us—he will heal us. He has wounded—he will bind us up . . . Let us press on to know him, and he will respond to us as surely as the coming of dawn or the rain of early spring. (Hos. 6:1,3)

When on this type of personal journey, it’s important to remember God doesn’t send problems to harass us. His goal is healing. When He allows bad things to happen or when problem areas come to the surface, He’s like a doctor lancing a boil. He cuts into our lives so He can replace disease with wholeness.

Originally published March 15, 1985.

He Had Compassion

Jesus told a story about the Samaritan who helped a dying man alongside the road—a victim ignored by people who should have helped him. Then, a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. . . . (Lk. 10:33 RSV)

Sometimes our journey as Christians leads us into difficult circumstances. We often struggle and wonder why because we do not understand what has happened or why it happened. We might be wounded as a result of our failure to walk uprightly with God—or we might be wounded because someone attacked us when we were defenseless. We may be suffering from one huge blow—or from incidents that repeatedly reopened festering sores.

Whatever our condition, circumstance, or problem, we need healing.

In this parable, the Samaritan traveler represents Jesus. And Jesus knows how to bind wounds! He pours forth His oil and wine—healing agents during Biblical times and symbols of the Holy Spirit throughout Scripture.

If we trust Him, we can count of Him to do the same for us. Jesus has compassion, and He brings healing.

Originally published May 14, 1982.

"Give Me this Power"

Philip the Evangelist went to Samaria to tell the people about Jesus the Christ. When the people responded to his message, many were healed from their afflictions and set free from demonic spirits.

A fellow living in Samaria named Simon the Sorcerer also believed key facts about Jesus. He submitted to baptism and then followed right alongside Philip, amazed when he saw the many miracles and signs. (Acts 8:13) But although actively involved in God’s work, Simon’s heart remained impure. He still loved the power he had exercised as a sorcerer, and now he wanted to exercise power under Jesus.

It all came to a head when Peter came to help Philip. After Simon the Sorcerer saw Peter laying hands on individuals so they might receive the Holy Spirit, Simon tried to get in on the action by offering money. He said to Peter, "Give me this power also. . . ." (v. 19 NKJV)

And at that point Peter received a revelation of Simon’s motives. "Your money perish with you. . . ." he said. (v. 20a) And, "your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent. . . ." (v. 21b)

We do not know what happened to Simon the Sorcerer, but he did ask for prayer "that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me." (v. 24b)

Originally published May 6, 1988.
Picture: Lilacs long the Red River of the North, Wahpeton/Breckenridge, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

God's Instruments

Miracles originate with God, but He often uses people as His instruments to bring miracles about.

When Peter and John were just beginning to deal with their new life after all that had happened through Jesus—after Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension—after they received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost—they saw a lame beggar sitting by the gate of the temple. Peter said, Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. (Acts 3:6 NKJV)

We don’t know if Peter stood there for awhile, waiting to see if the man would get up on his own. We do know Peter took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. (v. 7)

The lame man received healing as he stood with Peter’s assistance. Peter was God’s instrument both when he spoke the Word of faith and when he helped the man respond to that Word.

The result was a miracle. So he [the man who had been crippled], leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. (v. 8)

God is sovereign, and He uses people.

Originally published October 3, 1986.

He Makes Us Whole

Jesus met a man with a withered hand in the synagogue, and He healed it. One Word—and it was done.

But before He spoke the Word, Jesus dealt with the Pharisees—religious men who would rather see the man suffer than acknowledge Jesus’ ministry. They were watching Jesus closely, looking for fault, looking for a way to reject the ministry of God’s Son. They didn’t care about the man who needed healing.

Jesus cut through their opposition, and He spoke directly to the man: “Stretch out your hand.” The man followed Jesus’ instructions, and his hand was restored as whole as the others. (Lk. 6:10 NKJV)

There will always be people who would rather see others suffer than acknowledge Jesus’ ministry. They look for ways to reject God and His Son.

Jesus continues to deal with their opposition. If we look beyond opposition and respond to Him—stretch out our soul, our very being—in answer to His call, He promises to restore. He makes us whole again.

Originally published April 8, 1988.

Spiritual Eyes

Jesus healed a man who was born blind. When his neighbors questioned him about the healing, he told them, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed and then I could see.” (Jn. 9:11) NIV

Strange circumstances and a remarkable event—people pay attention when a blind man receives physical sight. But the story isn’t complete. The people questioned him further before the Pharisees came to challenge and rebuke him.

He became testy in return: “Now that is remarkable. . . ! If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” (v. 30a,33)

At that, the Pharisees reacted with anger. They, threw him out. (v. 34b)

When Jesus heard how the man had been treated, He found the beleageued fellow. Jesus asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (v. 35b)

Confused and hurting, the man cried out, “Who is he, sir. . . ? Tell me. . . .” (v. 36)

And then Jesus opened the man’s spiritual eyes so he could respond in faith. With his newly-received spiritual eyes he said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him. (v. 38)

Originally published November 22, 1983

Picture: Patty's Garden, 2008. Photo by Solveig.