Saturday, August 16, 2008
(Proper
14)
Jesus healed a man who waited
by the Pool of Bethesda for 38 years, waiting for help at an opportune moment
to get into the healing waters. Jesus came to him and he was
healed. Anytime at all is an opportune moment for Jesus to help and
heal us -- whatever our failings or ailments may be.
The story which follows is instructive. The healed man is asked who
healed him. They are not so much pleased at his recovery, as they are upset
that he is carrying his bed (working) on the Sabbath. The former invalid
tells them he doesn't know who Jesus was. "Some guy I don't know did
it," was the gist of the answer.
Later he meets Jesus in the temple and learns his name. During this second
encounter Jesus warns the man not to sin. One wonders if that warning
-- that restriction on his "freedom" -- is what caused him to do what he
did next. He told the authorities that it was Jesus who healed him,
and of course that meant more persecution for Christ.
As I read this story, I wonder:
Did the authorities ask who told him to carry his mat because they were looking
for information, or because they were looking for a reason to condemn Jesus?
Did the man tell the authorities who Jesus was because he was not happy at
being told he must give up sinning?
Whatever the answers behind the motivation of these people, intellectual
knowledge is insufficient. Whatever knowledge we get of Jesus and his
teachings from scripture is worthwhile only to the extent that it doesn't
remain "head-knowledge", but enters our hearts and transforms us.
Intellectual understanding does not bring a relationship with Jesus or salvation
-- it is a matter for the heart. And that's a good thing, because otherwise,
my computer -- fully equipped as it is with several good Bible texts and
commentaries and dictionaries -- would be a "better Christian" than I am.
It has at its ready command and recall more facts and theories than I ever
hope to absorb completely.
Fortunately for us, it is not essential that we memorize all the scripture,
understand all the theology, can recite all the creeds. What Jesus
asks is that we let the knowledge we have in our heads make that 18 inch
trip to our hearts. Only through that complete surrender of your heart
and life can we be truly born again.
ACTIVITY / QUESTION FOR THE DAY: Which kind of knowledge about
Jesus predominates in your life today -- head knowledge, or heart knowledge?
PRAYER: Heavenly father, help us open our hearts for the love of Christ,
for the gift of salvation, and for the joy of knowing your love as we walk
through this day. Help us, not only to learn more of your Son, but
to put that understanding into action in our lives. In Jesus name we
pray. Amen
JOURNALING NOTES:
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