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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 15, 2006 MUSCLE |
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Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, February 15, 2006 by Penny Risen
Skimming the ice in harmony, the pair poised facing each other. With his right hand supporting her torso and his left hand clinched in her right, the man forcefully lifted the woman up high above his head. She arched gracefully, spreading her arms wide like a dove and smiling as they spun. All eyes were on her as they should be, the male figure skater commented later. ”In a lift, she is the rose and I’m only the stem of the flower.”
Watching the 20th Winter Olympic Games, we can see many feats of skill and strength, athletic prowess, and devotion fulfilled to achieve a personal goal. Often the individual shines, while at other times teamwork is required to reach victory. Some folks aren’t big fans of figure skating and doubt whether it really is a sport rather than an art form. But we can‘t help admiring those who compete in pairs, seeing how the men let the “roses” grab the spotlight while they provide the muscle. With one’s effort and strength, wonderful things can happen for the pair.
“They brought a paraplegic to Jesus, carried by four men. When they weren't able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, ‘Son, I forgive your sins.’ ‘ …. Now, get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home.’ And the man did it --- got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him. They rubbed their eyes, incredulous -- and then praised God, saying, ‘We've never seen anything like this!’ " Verses 3-5, 11-12 The Message Bible
In the apostle Mark’s telling of this miracle in Capernaum, Jesus is impressed by how much effort the friends made to bring the paralyzed man to Him for healing. Their belief was so strong that no barrier, no sacrifice was too great to help the lame man. The unselfish friends who bore the stretcher not only showed their physical strength but also their spiritual muscle to reach Jesus and seek His healing touch. “Don’t worry,” the men must have told their sick friend when they saw the massive crowds blocking their way to Jesus. “I’ll will lift you; I’m strong enough to bear you up,” we can imagine them saying, reassuring their friend. “Have faith and we’ll get there together to speak to Jesus.”
Of course, the wonderful miracle of Jesus’ healing touch is the story here. God’s strength and love is big enough to comfort everything from the most serious illness to the small slights and disappointments in life. But isn’t the willingness of the friends to put the sick man’s fate first also a small miracle? They weren’t struggling to be healed yet they were willing to make a sacrifice. Their belief was so strong that they too helped immeasurably in this moment to renew the sick man’s health and return him to wholeness in Jesus Christ.
How can we use our spiritual muscle today to lift someone to Jesus? Can we be bold enough to carry their troubles as our own and put their needs first?
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, I pray for Your mercy and help for my friends and family who are ill, troubled, overwhelmed and need your healing touch. If it’s Your will, use me to bring comfort to them with a touch or a kind word. Help me to act unselfishly in loving-kindness and to put someone else first. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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