Tuesday, 7 March 2017

East Ridge Pres

Luke 13:12-13 And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her to him and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And Jesus laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The woman was bent and disabled. Unable to walk. Jesus calls her to him and lays his hands on her and makes her straight. He heals her infirmity. Then she glorifies God. In the same way We are disabled by sin. Called by Jesus to himself and made straight, made able to walk in obedience to him. Then we glorify God and live to his glory. This is a picture of the first day of the Christian life. The day Christ calls you. But I have learned it is also a picture of later days in the Christian life. Years after salvation. Because I return to sin, I return to my disability. I let myself be bound again by sinful desires. They rise in my heart and cripple me once again. I am disabled in many ways. I continue to struggle with anger and lust and envy and selfish ambition and greed even after many years of walking in the faith. I ask the Lord Jesus today to lay his hands on me and make me straight so I can glorify God. I want to be straight. I want to walk straight. I want to bring glory to God in what I do. everywhere I go and every hour of the day. There are still disabling passions in us. Jesus, you have called us. Now lay your hands on us. Touch us as we pray, touch us as we listen to your word, touch us as we eat and drink your sacrament.