Images of War and Peace
Good Morning Friends,
In our sanctuary at church is a stained glass window depicting the story in today’s scripture and the amazing thing is that the design in words from the Bible with the art implies not only an orderly presentation of the process in getting healed by Jesus but also the beginning of the trial of Jesus. It is a story about Stretcher Bearers, but also Armor Bearers, Cup Bearers and the Sin Bearer Himself… for the story implies both the Images of War and Peace.
Scripture: And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
Matthew 9:2 (NRSV)
I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”
John 16:33 (NRSV)
But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Matthew 14:27 (NRSV)
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
Mark 2:1-12 (NIV)
Message: Jesus wants everyone to do whatever it takes to reach God and to bring others to the only one who can solve their problems. No matter how big or small or dysfunctional people may be they all need to know Jesus and the power of His healing, forgiveness and love. When we see somebody on a gurney being taken from either one place in a hospital to another, or we see them being taken from their homes to the hospital. When we see this, there is a sort of sympathy or we feel a bit sorry for those on the stretcher because we know, they need help. When we see this, we have faith the people are being taken to where they can get help. The hopeful image of World War 1 stretcher bears going out into the field of battle to bring the wounded back for treatment comes to mind. But sometimes we are called in love to be the stretcher bearers ourselves and in the process change. You see, Jesus knew that His opponents are people who assumed that they know God, but do not. Jesus knew that people who are willing to change their perception about a problem will be able to change just about everything else. Many will learn this by working with others over time, in service, to do God’s will.
Pray we realize what come first. Pray we realize that forgiveness comes before healing…that spiritual healing best comes before physical healing. Pray we are thankful for all those who serve Christ. Pray we see people through the compassionate eyes of Jesus. Pray we rejoice even when the cup is bitter. Pray we rejoice in faith, hope, love and work as they join together to bring people to Jesus. Pray we realize that the battle is won by him who is firmly resolved to win it. Pray we realize that God is the same everywhere. Pray we realize that Jesus uses people who are willing to get involved. Pray we do not overlook anyone.
Blessings,
John Lawson
“Although on a conscious level a man lives for himself, he is actually being used for the attainment of humanity’s historical aims. A deed once done becomes irrevocable, and any action comes together over time with millions of actions performed by other people to create historical significance.”
Leo Tolstoy from War and Peace.
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