May 8, 2017
I have not been keeping up with my blog lately because we are moving to Canada in less than two months and I have been packing up and staging my house. We have three fully furnished floors and a garage; ergo, I have been quite busy. However, I have a few moments this morning, so I thought I'd try to catch up on all that Dr. Anderson has had to say.
Day 122: Clean and Free:
"In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. 'Lord,' he said, 'if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.' Jesus reached out and touched him. 'I am willing,' he said, 'Be healed!' And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. He said, 'Go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.'" —Luke 5:12-14
Anderson says that though leprosy can be healed today through medication the effects of the leprosy are still present. "We cannot reverse the damage already done. Scars don't magically disappear, and missing digits cannot be restored. Yet, when Jesus healed the leper, the man appeared as if he'd never had the disease." Though I have always believed that to be the case, the story itself never says or even suggests that the man was completely healed of any and all effects. It just says he was "cleansed," that the "leprosy disappeared," not that he showed no signs of ever even having leprosy. It's not to say that any of that changes the power of the story. It's just that I think we often assume things and make bold statements about biblical happenings as if we know exactly what went down, when in reality, we do not.
Day 123: Healing Faith:
"A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, 'If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.'" —Mark 5:25-28
I have always appreciated this story of the woman who touched Jesus in the crowd fully believing that if she did, she could be healed. It is a story of incredible faith. The first time I read it I admired the woman and wanted to have the kind of faith that she had. I believe there have been times in my life where I have had such faith, but if I am to be honest, it waxes and wanes.
Day 124: No Obstacles To Healing:
"Jesus went over to their synagogue, where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, 'Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?'" —Matthew 12:9-10
Anderson points out that for Jesus "There are no roadblocks to healing... We know that we can confidently call of Jesus to meet our needs—even on the Sabbath. He's never closed for business. His healing isn't limited to a specific group of people. He doesn't need permission. And his resources are unlimited," unlike today, where we are inundated with "artificial barriers" to treatment: insurance companies, hours of operation, needing special referrals, costs of treatment....the list goes on.
Day 125: Set Free From The Lies:
"If the Son sets you free, you are truly free." —John 8:26
Anderson's lesson today is wonderful and heartwarming, or at least it should be. He shares a story about a man who entered a rehab center and found Jesus. The man told Anderson, "Jesus found me when I was in a very dark hole. He pulled me out, dusted me off, cleansed my heart and soul, and called me his, even though I'd run from him for years. I want to help others find the truth and stop listening to the lies of the enemy."
Yes, I appreciate the fact that the man found Jesus and was freed from his addiction. What makes me pull back a little is the last few words, "the lies of the enemy." It just gives me flashbacks to former church experiences. It is interesting how just a few words can trigger a flight response in me, that desire to retreat and pull back. The effects of my former experiences run so deep. I am surprised by just how deep.
Day 126: Get To Know Him
"The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation." —Psalm 145:9
The best part of what Anderson had to say in today's lesson is this: God is "not standing with a sledgehammer, waiting to bash us. No, he showers us with grace. When we are lost and not even looking for him, he pursues us..."
I believe that to be true, most of the time. When I was reading what Anderson had to say, I was picturing Jesus in place of God. Jesus is not " standing with a sledgehammer, waiting to bash us." I still battle with my image of God Himself. I still see Him as being somewhat separate from Jesus, though I know that they are one.
Day 127: In God's Time, It's Never Too Late:
"Even when there was no reason for hope. Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, 'That's how many descendants you will have!' And Abraham's faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was a good as dead—and so was Sarah's womb." —Romans 4:18-19
When I was younger I was intrigued by the story of Abraham, especially when he was willing to sacrifice his son. The whole time I kept thinking, "God is not going to let Abraham go through with it. Surely God will stop his hand before he harms his son." And He did. I also used to think about how Isaac must have felt knowing that something was up. Why was there no lamb for the sacrifice? Where was the lamb? How horrified he must of been to learn that he was the lamb. How brave he was for not running away from his father. He must have believed that God would not allow him to be sacrificed. Still, it must have been a very frightening experience. No one ever delves into Isaac's response to the situation, just Abraham's faith, but I'd say Isaac's faith is even more incredible.
Day 128: God's Grace Is For All:
"God knows people's hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith...We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the underserved grace of the Lord Jesus." —Acts 15:8-9, 11
Reading Anderson's story today about the aftermath of a horrible car crash, it struck me just how hard it must be for Anderson to witness so much pain and trauma day in and day out, especially when he believes as he does. The emotional and physical pain he witnesses, it must take its toll on him now and again. I suppose he would say it is because of his relationship with God that he is able to handle what comes at him everyday. It really makes you appreciate doctors and nurses.
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