Take the First Step

A Series on Living in the Wilderness: Part 2
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Luke 5:17-26; John 5:1-15 

[This is Part 2 in a series of looking at people who lived in the wilderness. Not necessarily the wilderness of nature, but the wilderness of life. In fact, there are times when we all feel like we are living in the wilderness. During those times, it’s important to remember that the Lord is faithful. That He loves you and is always with you.]

 

When we visited Brazil in 1983, we saw a beggar on the street who literally had no eyes. I don’t know how long he’d lived like that; how he got himself to and from his begging spot; if he had any other support to pay for his basic needs. All I knew was that he was on the street begging.

 

We know little more than that about the paralyzed man in Luke 5. We could speculate that, unable to take care of his basic needs, that he lived a life of extreme poverty; that he lived in a wilderness of isolation.

 

I wonder how he and his friends felt when, instead of healing him, Jesus forgave his sins. Were they confused or angry? Did they feel betrayed like it was a bait and switch? Did they wonder, like the Pharisees, “Who does this man think he is; only God can forgive sins”? Or were they thankful?

 

After forgiving the sins of the paralyzed man, Jesus said this to the Pharisees.

 

^23-24 Which is simpler: to say ‘I forgive your sins,’ or to say ‘Get up and start walking’? Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both. . . .” He now spoke directly to the paraplegic: “Get up. Take your bedroll and go home.”             NLT

 

When you’re living in the wilderness… is it better to have your sins forgiven, or to be healed? Typically, Jesus meets us where we’re at.

 

By that I mean, he responds to the felt needs that we have; to the struggles that we face. If you’re overwhelmed with anxiety, he brings peace. If you’re feeling rejected, he brings love and acceptance. If you’re suffering loss, he brings comfort and fulfillment.

 

There’s a story in John 5 about another man who is described as an invalid. In this story he was laying at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem because it was said to have healing powers at certain times.

 

He had been an invalid for thirty-eight years - probably most, if not all of his life. Jesus asked him a question that seemed absurd, “Do you want to get well”? Sometimes, when you’ve had a debilitating problem for such a long time, you lose hope of ever being able to change.

 

No matter how long you’ve been living in the wilderness, or how debilitating your problem is, Jesus will meet you where you’re at. The first step is to ask him for help. Then he’ll do even more than you ask. Like the paraplegic, he’ll make you whole.

 

So go ahead – take the first step.

Copyright 2022 Joseph B Williams