Well, I had a very challenging week and because my schedule failed to keep up with the budget of time this pondering is one that I wrote four years ago. Please forgive me for the double dip, but perhaps the thoughts will be meaningful for some today; even if it is recycled.
Once, when Jesus was ministering during his earthy life, he traveled to an area close to the Sea of Galilee. At this point in Jesus’ ministry, he was renown for his teaching and miracles. He had healed just about every form of sickness, disease and injury that could be imagined, and people who needed a physical intervention in their lives intentionally sought him out. They recognized him as the Healing Savior.
Some people in the area brought a deaf man before Jesus — You can read about this in Mark 7. Apparently he had lost his hearing early in his life, because he could speak, but just barely. What Jesus does next is fascinating to me.
First of all, he takes the man away from the crowd. There was no self-serving or attention-seeking attitude in Jesus… ever. Jesus wasn’t interested in fame; instead, he was compelled to do his Father’s will. Healing this deaf man was an action between the man who couldn’t hear and the Creator Savior. It was no one else’s business. The work that Jesus was about to do in his life… was for that deaf man alone.
Secondly, he physically touched the damaged areas of this man. He placed his fingers into the man’s ears, and he actually touched his tongue. You see, the Loving Savior isn’t afraid to touch the brokenness found within Humanity over the consequences of sin. He is always willing to reach into even the most vile of places to save when rescue has been sought.
And thirdly, he looked up to Heaven and uttered a deep sigh. The Compassionate Savior sighed. Why did he sigh? He sighed over sin. He sighed over brokenness. He sighed because people were suffering over the choices they had made throughout History. He sighed over a broken world.
What causes you to sigh? I have sighed beside a death bed in the presence of hurting relatives. I have sighed when I hear a Christian gossip about another Christian. I have sighed when a person has shared a deep need with me, but the need still remains. I have sighed when a marriage has ended. I have sighed as a child rebels against God and parents. And I have sighed when I realized that I have failed and disappointed God, because sometimes my needs… and yes, even my choices… cause me to sigh.
If you have recently sighed over something in your life, can I offer a few words of encouragement? First of all, intentionally seek out the Healing Savior. He is there, waiting to be sought. Bring your needs before him… for oftentimes we fail to receive good gifts from God simply because we fail to ask for them (Matt. 7:11).
Secondly, be assured that if you come before the Creator Savior humbly, he will work in your life for what is best for you (Rom. 8:28). He put great thought into you and considers you a masterpiece of art (Eph. 2:10).
Thirdly, know that no situation in your life is too messy for the Loving Savior to reach into and provide rescue (Ps. 40:2). Jesus is in the business of fixing the brokenhearted. His love for you will never fail (Ps. 103:17).
And lastly, understand the Compassionate Savior hurts along with you. What concerns you… concerns him. He, too, feels the oppression of sin on the world and your life (Heb. 4:15). His compassion will always move him to action.
The next time you sigh, remember, Jesus understands.
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