Living 4 Him

“. . . and the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.” Luke 5:17

During his three years of ministry, Jesus walked the land he lived in unknown to many people.  He became known by other names:

Known as Teacher, he gave lessons in life.

Known as Prophet, he revealed insight to godly living.

Known as Healer, he removed physical impairments while also mending the souls of those he encountered. 

For the next several weeks, we will read of healing encounters, observing those who experienced healing on varied levels.

In Luke 5, people including Pharisees and others teachers of the law assemble in a house to hear Jesus teach.  A man, paralyzed and lying on a mat, is brought to the house by his friends, seeking healing from Jesus. With no way to push through the throng of listeners, they climb to the roof of the house, remove tiles and lower the man in need right in front of Jesus.  Recognizing their earnest hope and desire, Jesus heals the man who jumps off the sleeping mat and begins walking. (Luke 5:18-26)

What eager determination these men had to seek out Jesus! And when it appeared Jesus was not accessible, they made a way, fueled by the expectation that Jesus would heal their friend.  Jesus’ reputation as Healer  lodged deep in their thinking, pushing their efforts forward. Nothing would stop them from getting to Jesus. 

In Matthew 8, a centurion (soldier) concerned for his servant, lying sick and paralyzed in his home, asks Jesus for healing.  When Jesus says he will come to his house, the centurion says, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” Matthew 8:8-9 Jesus, impressed with the faith the centurion has placed in Jesus’ authority, heals the servant immediately. 

The soldier expected healing power from Jesus, unlimited by distance, but completely controlled by Jesus’ own authority through God. 

When we live out of positive expectations, our living grows to a new level.  What we believe forms our expectations.

Beliefs shape expectations.

Expectations feed attitudes.

Attitudes propel actions.

Norman Vincent Peale is famous for saying “Change your thoughts and you change your world.”

With faith in God, our expectations are in the best possible place.  He is working for good and cares for us in a tender, purposeful way. 

During my last 15 years of teaching each spring, with the help of an incubator, we hatched chicks.  No matter how long it took for the chicks to break out of their shells with only a hardened nub at the end of their beak, we expected they would do it.  This attitude is most likely the same one the chicks held as they worked tirelessly to escape their cramped quarters and the chicks always (with an occasional exception) came through! 

When our beliefs about God’s goodness, his love, his presence and his power align with our expectations, we are showered with an extra dose of strength.  God will not let us down.  Even if end results differ slightly from our original expectations, God paves the way to a blessing.

Expect God to be there! Expect God to care!  Expect God to bring a blessing!  He will.

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul):  Read the healing stories mentioned today in Luke 5:18-26 and Matthew 8:5-13.  Let the faith displayed in these stories fuel your own expectations.

Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world):  Spend several minutes of prayer time or quiet devotion time thinking about what you truly believe about God.  May these beliefs guide you closer to God’s best for you.