One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!”
Luke 5:17-26

Dear God, I wonder if Jesus’s first intention was to heal this paralyzed man. Did he see the greater need than paralysis that was in the man’s life? What was his background.

The line from Luke that really caught my attention in this passage was, “And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus.” I looked at several translations, and they all communicated the same thing: a unique moment for Jesus that was beyond most. I never thought about the idea that Jesus might not always have your healing power strongly with him. That there would be surges in it. I don’t know that I have any deep thoughts on that matter other than it being an interesting revelation, but I suppose it does make me feel a little better about the surges of your presence in me.

I was thinking yesterday that I’m not as much in the Christmas spirit as I was a couple of weeks ago. This is my busiest time of year at work and then the social calendar fills up quickly too so I can certainly be distracted. I think one problem is that I am not as dialed in with spending this time with you. I am still taking in sermons, podcasts and even some reading materials that are spiritually nourishing, but it’s been a few days since I sat and stilled myself before you in this way.

Father, here I am to worship. Here I am to bow down. Here I am to say that you’re my God. You’re altogether holy. Altogether lovely. Altogether wonderful to me. I offer you my praise.

I pray all of this in the name of Jesus,

Amen