1 My soul in sad exile was out on life’s sea, So burdened with sin, and distressed, Till I heard a sweet voice saying, “Make Me your choice,” And I entered the haven of rest.
Refrain: I’ve anchored my soul in the haven of rest, I’ll sail the wide seas no more; The tempest may sweep o’er the wild stormy deep, In Jesus I’m safe evermore.
2 I yielded myself to His tender embrace, And faith taking hold of the word, My fetters fell off, and I anchored my soul: The haven of rest is my Lord. [Refrain]
3 The song of my soul, since the Lord made me whole, Has been the old story so blessed, Of Jesus who’ll save whosoever will have A home in the haven of rest. [Refrain]
4 How precious the thought that we all may recline, Like John, the beloved and blessed, On Jesus’ strong arm, where no tempest can harm, Secure in the haven of rest. [Refrain]
5 Oh, come to the Savior, He patiently waits To save by His power divine; Come, anchor your soul in the haven of rest, And say, “My Beloved is mine.” [Refrain]
“The Haven of Rest” (hymn) by H.L. Gilmour (1885)
I grew up with this hymn in church, and it always made me think of my grandfather, who had been in the Navy. He didn’t speak much of his time at sea. He wasn’t a great ocean sailor– he preferred lakes and small rowboats to the vast ships on which he had travelled. But he was a good one for storms. He seemed fearless and confident in any weather– blizzards, tornadoes, sleet or hail– and it helped everyone around him find hope and confidence, too.
We normally don’t think of rest when we think of storms, but there is one great story in the Gospels about Jesus being caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee. (See Mark 35-41) There he was, in the back of the tossing boat– asleep! The disciples, screaming in panic, woke Him up. “We’re all going to die! How can you be sleeping? DO something!”
Jesus calmly gets up and rebukes the wind and waves and then chides the disciples for their lack of faith. Suddenly, the frightened disciples are more “afraid” of Jesus, who controls the waves, than they are of the recent (but now powerless) storm. The storm caused panic and restlessness, but Jesus caused a deep and penetrating awe. And part of the lesson of this story is that Jesus “did” nothing. While the disciples were bailing out water, frantically rowing and fighting the storm, Jesus simply spoke, “Peace. Be Still.”
Resting and “doing” are usually at odds with each other. We cannot make a situation restful by doing and fretting. We must be still and trust the One who controls the wind and the waves and all the circumstances of our lives. And that trust doesn’t come through our efforts or our convictions. It comes as we let go of our fears and expectations, our need to see the road ahead or the blue sky above. But while we cannot “do” our way to safety and rest, we can make sure we are anchored.
The Bible (especially in the New Testament) uses a lot of maritime and water imagery. Boats, seas, floods, rivers, fishing nets, storms, shipwrecks, journeys, and anchors. Anchors also feature in a lot of old hymns. Anchors are essential in sea travel. They keep the boat or ship from being swept by the wind and waves– either swept into rocks and dangerous coastal waters or swept away from safe harbors. An anchor is also essential for our soul– to keep it from being swept up in dangerous deceptions, emotional storms, and rocky theology.
I have three thoughts about anchors today:
You can’t ignore, forget, or neglect an anchor until you “need” it. An anchor on land, in storage, or unused, can do you no good. You must prepare before the storm hits. In the Christian walk, we must be faithful in the “easy” times if we want to rest in faith in the difficult times. Faith is a muscle that must be exercised. Hope is “built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”– it doesn’t just appear at the last moment.
You can’t see the anchor when it is in use. When you drop anchor, you will feel it take hold– eventually. In life, we cannot always “see” God at work. But we can look back and see what He’s already done. And we can trust in His presence and power– even when the storm continues to rage, and the waves beat against the ship.
An anchor comes with you wherever you go, but it doesn’t keep you confined or isolated. The anchor works by being tied to a rope or cable so the boat or ship can still move or drift in different waters. Sometimes, the anchor needs a longer rope or cable to reach the bottom. But too much rope, and the ship will drift back into danger. Jesus offers us freedom from sin and death. He does not promise that we will never have rough seas, or difficult journeys. He does tell us to GO– into all the world. If we never leave the dock, we will never use the anchor. But we do NOT have to travel alone and hopeless.
I have anchored my Soul on Christ, the Solid Rock. I pursue prayer (and Bible study and fellowship with other believers) as part of that anchoring. My faith and hope are built on that solid foundation– staying strong despite the circumstances that batter and buffet when the storms come. I can’t “see” the way ahead; I can’t always see Christ working in and through the difficulties as I face them. But I can see what He’s done in the past, and I have His promise that He has overcome the world and its circumstances. And I know that Christ is always with me– His presence is a constant, and His Holy Spirit guides me as I travel through life. As another great hymn states, “My anchor holds within the veil”–Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father in the Holiest of Holies, holding my soul for all eternity. And I can rest on that truth, “evermore.” I hope if you are reading this that you have found rest and hope as well!
In reply Jesus said to the disciples, “If you only have faith in God—this is the absolute truth—you can say to this Mount of Olives, ‘Rise up and fall into the Mediterranean,’ and your command will be obeyed. All that’s required is that you really believe and have no doubt! (Mark 11:22-23– The Living Bible)
Have you ever said to a mountain– “Rise up and fall into the Mediterranean?” I doubt any of us have done so. But is that what Jesus really meant when He gave this instruction to His disciples? What was He really trying to say?
The Bible is crammed full of literary devices– metaphors, parables, hyperbole, personification–and yet people get criticized for reading it too “literally” or too “literarily.” In this passage, Jesus uses hyperbole to show that we can boldly pray about ANYTHING– there is nothing too big or too impossible for God to accomplish. But Jesus is not suggesting that we foolishly ask God for ridiculous things just to demonstrate His power. In fact, Satan tempted Jesus in this very way in the desert (see Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13). He asked Jesus to throw Himself off the highest point of the Temple, to prove that angels would come to His rescue and He wouldn’t be hurt. But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “it is also written, ‘Do not put the LORD your God to the test.'” So, it seems that Jesus is not “literally” asking His disciples to move physical mountains just to prove it can be done.
To put this scene in context, Jesus had passed by the same road just a day before, and looking for a snack, He had passed a fig tree, but the tree had no fruit. Jesus casually made a pronouncement– “You shall never bear fruit again!” When He and the disciples pass that way again just a day later, the tree has withered, and the disciples are astonished. But the lesson here is not about trees and mountains– it is about Faith and about the power of our Words.
We may never have cause to move an actual mountain, but there are many metaphorical “mountains” that we must climb or go around in life. And many people will sneer at Jesus’s assurance that if we have faith, such mountains can be told to “Rise up and fall into the Mediterranean.” That cancer diagnosis; the horrible boss at work; those medical bills that seem impossible to pay off; the pain of abandonment when your spouse demands a divorce– we can pray fervently, tearfully, desperately, only to see the mountain seem just as immovable as ever.
So, what DOES Jesus really mean? Is He lying about the power of faith? Is He setting us up to pray for disappointment? What can we learn from the mountain analogy? What can we learn from the fig tree?
I don’t have a complete or definitive answer. But I can share a couple of insights. As I said above, I don’t believe the lesson here is about the tree or the mountain. It’s about Faith, the power of words, and ultimately, about perspective.
Let’s start with the tree. Jesus is hungry. He goes to a tree, where he hopes to find a fig. But the tree offers nothing. Jesus could walk away, grumbling about the tree. “Stupid tree! I wanted a fig, but NOOOO!” What a childish outburst that would have been. And I have been guilty of this very kind of silly complaining and grumbling over a car that doesn’t start, or a weed that pops up in my garden, or a co-worker who said something that hurt my feelings. Notice what Jesus DID– He addressed the tree. He did not complain to the gardener or punch the tree trunk or rant in the street or spend the rest of the day nursing His disappointment. By the next day He had completely forgotten the incident– it was His disciples who were still interested in the tree. Jesus had moved on.
How often do I wallow in hurt, frustration, or guilt? How often do I replay conversations in my head, or waste time trying to assign blame for my circumstances? How often do I go behind someone’s back to complain, instead of asking for clarification or confronting a misunderstanding? How long do I chase down an apology or an explanation from someone else for my own hurt feelings and bruised ego? Jesus asks us to be proactive–to speak up in prayer, in conversation, and yes, sometimes even in confrontation.
A final thought about the withered fig tree. The same Jesus who used His words to heal lepers and forgive sins, used His words to wither the fig tree that had not served Him. He did not scorch the fig tree or take and ax to it and chop it down, but in judgment, He caused the tree to wither. Jesus had the power to judge the Pharisees, the demons who tormented people, the tax collectors with whom He dined, and the prostitutes He forgave. With a single breath, He could have destroyed the Roman oppressors, wiped out the corrupt priests, and cleaned up the masses of beggars and thieves of Jerusalem. But instead, He told stories. He fed the hungry. He gave sight to the blind. And He warned the hypocrites of the judgment to come if they did not repent. Words are so very powerful. What we say, (and what we listen to) we will come to believe. The Bible tells us that “Nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37; Matthew 19:26)
The disciples were focused on the fig tree when Jesus dropped a bombshell pronouncement. “Say to this mountain…” But it wasn’t about the mountain. It was about the “impossible” power of God. It was about looking beyond the mountain and addressing the real obstacle– lack of faith and perspective.
The Apostle Paul spoke of a “thorn in the flesh” (see 2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Three times he prayed that God would remove it, and God said, “No.” But God also gave Paul a different perspective– it wasn’t about the “thorn,” it was about pride. Paul’s continuing struggle with his “thorn” meant that he had to rely on God’s power to overcome his physical weakness. Paul’s “mountain” of pain could have stopped him from doing God’s work. But God moved the real “mountain”– Paul’s reliance on his own passion and drive– and threw it into the sea, so that Paul could move on in his real purpose.
In a very small way, I had a “mountain moving” lesson years ago at work. I clashed with my “new” boss. I found her verbally harsh toward my fellow co-workers, and I disagreed with her vision for the future of our workplace. I campaigned and complained, and I prayed that God would expose her corruption and remove her from our workplace. But it wasn’t about the “mountain” I saw in my boss. God moved me (and later her) out of that job and into new opportunities. And He showed me how my own attitude had contributed to the problem and not the solution. I had to track her down and apologize for MY actions and forgive her. And suddenly, the “mountain” I had made of the situation was gone! But I had to come to the point of believing that God would remove the actual “mountain” and not the one I had created.
In larger ways, I have seen cancer patients who have thrived in spite of their condition; I have seen others pronounced cancer-free. I have seen lost family members restored to Faith and relationships healed. I have seen God’s provision and protection in seemingly impossible situations. God CAN move mountains! And God WILL make a way, where there seems to be no way! But I have to ask, and believe, instead of complaining and isolating, or hiding in the shadow of my own “mountains.”
Will I believe that today, even when I can’t see how He will do it? Will I ASK Him to move my mountains– both large and small? Will I ask God to show me all that is possible through His power? In His way and in His time? Will I ask Him, not just for what I think I want or need, but for ANYTHING that HE wants for me? Because when I do, when I turn my focus from the mountain to the Mover of Mountains– Amazing things WILL happen!
When one first encounters this story, it seems horrific but also disconnected somehow. Throughout the rest of the book of Judges, the narrative focuses on individuals who led the nation of Israel as they moved into and settled in the Promised Land. Moses and Joshua had led them TO the land, and now others were leading them IN the land. Some of them became household names as their stories echoed through the ages– Gideon, Samson, and to a lesser extent, Barak and Deborah and Jael–heroes in battle, but often weak in leadership. But as the book continues, the stories are much less heroic and much more appalling. The story of Gibeah is a tragic and disgusting downfall for the entire nation, rife with rape, murder, and civil war.
Hundreds of years later, the prophets Isaiah and Hosea make reference to Gibeah, and the horrors that were committed there. As bad as the story of Gibeah is, I believe it holds lessons and warnings for us even today.
At the beginning of the story, we learn that a Levite (a priest or priestly worker) who lived in a remote town took as his concubine a woman from Bethlehem in Judah. He brought her to the remote hill country where he lived. But she ran away and returned to her father’s house. Four months later, the man decides to track her down and bring her back home. Why are these details important? They seem innocuous, until you see how far from God’s plan and purpose the people have strayed.
The Levite was not supposed to take a concubine at all. He was to marry only a virgin from his own tribe. The passage is a little confusing on this point, calling her a concubine AND a wife. Either way, it seems she was not the sort of woman with whom he was supposed to create a family.
And she left him, so it seems that this was not a solid and committed relationship. He doesn’t follow her immediately.
He waits four months before going to check on her and attempting to bring her back. Once again, the context is unclear– maybe he was exercising patience, hoping that “absence makes the heart grow fonder” or hoping that time would mend whatever was wrong between them, but it could also be that he was just not in a great hurry to resume a relationship with her, but merely retrieving a bit of property.
Once the Levite tracks down the concubine, he is lulled into staying several days in the house of his father-in-law.
This would not have been unusual for that time period or region; hospitality was a hallmark of the people, and the father-in-law may have wanted to help smooth things over by giving his daughter more time at home to reconcile herself to the long journey and the return to her husband’s household. But this interaction does not feel like hospitality. There seems to be an undercurrent between the Levite and the woman’s father. The story never explores this, and maybe I am reading more into the story than what is there, but it seems that this relationship is not one based on love and deep affection, but more of a business transaction or power struggle.
If the woman was a concubine, she may have been returning to a household where she was a lesser wife and faced scorn or abuse from the Levite’s other wife or wives. Again, we do not know this from the context, but she does not seem eager to leave her father’s house, and the father does not seem comfortable sending her away.
The Levite seems reluctant to spend time with his father-in-law, yet it takes little convincing for him to stay four extra nights. Finally, on the fifth day, he insists that he will leave, even though it is now growing late.
As the Levite approaches the area around Jebus (Jerusalem), he refuses to stay there, as the Israelites have not conquered the city, and he does not want to stay with “foreigners.” He pushes on to Gibeah precisely because he assumes it will be safer to stay among his “own people.”
What happens that night in Gibeah begins almost the same as the scene that was described in Genesis 19, when the angels of the LORD visited the wicked city of Sodom, and the men of the city demanded to have sex with them. Just as Lot offered his two virgin daughters, the host offers his own virgin daughter to the mob. But this time, the concubine is trapped outside all night, left to be gang-raped and abused all night.
How horrified are the host and the Levite at the demands of the men of Gibeah? The host, much like Lot in Genesis, seems to be aware of the wickedness going on all around him, but powerless or without a will to stand up to it. The Levite does nothing to defend the woman he just “rescued” from her father’s house. He seems reconciled to the idea that she will be raped but is furious when she is left for dead?! Again, some of this is lost in the context of the story and the culture of that time, but surely none of this behavior lines up with the laws and regulations of the Israelites as given by Moses– not just the behavior of the men of Gibeah, but also that of the Levite.
The incident at Gibeah is actually WORSE than the one in Sodom! Israel has fallen so low that Sodom looks less wicked in comparison! The prophet Hosea, speaking of Israel’s prostitution with false gods and their coming judgment, refers to Gibeah as the place where judgment will (and should) begin because they have rejected their God. Jesus echoes this sentiment when He says in Matthew that judgment will be worse for those who reject Him than it was for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. Sodom was a wicked city, but the people of Israel had heard the story of Sodom’s judgment and destruction. They had been warned– they had been sent to the Promised Land and told NOT to follow the wicked practices of the inhabitants they were to conquer. Yet they became worse than the people they were to destroy!
The reaction of the Levite, and the entire nation of Israel is not one of turning to God, but turning to vengeance and warfare
There is something about cutting up the dead body of his concubine and sending her bloody bits around the country that horrifies the reader of this story. Yes, her death was horrific and violent. But the aftermath is equally violent and impersonal. There is no mention in this story of grief or remorse or human compassion. There are only actions and reactions.
The men of Gibeah (and all of Benjamin) show no shame or repentance for this horrible incident. Instead, they are willing to slaughter their own countrymen (and die at their hand) in defiance and continued wickedness.
The “plan” after the war against the Benjaminites– allowing the men of the tribe of Benjamin to kidnap women in Shiloh– is evidence that no one has learned a lesson. The Israelites meet and ask God “Why has this happened?” But instead of asking God for an answer, they come up with their own plan.
The last verse in chapter 20 gives a sad and sobering summary–“In those days, Israel had no king, so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)
What can we learn from this horrible incident? Most of us (I hope!) don’t go around gang-raping, torturing, and killing women; we don’t slaughter entire towns or tribal groups because of a single horrific incident; we don’t offer reparations to enemies that sanction kidnapping innocent victims. But do we turn our backs on God’s guidelines because we have a plan that seems “right in (our) own eyes”? Do we foster relationships that conflict with God’s word? Do we ignore the wickedness taking place in our own neighborhoods and right under our noses? Do we try to justify bad policies and practices because they are “no worse” than what others are doing?
What happened in Gibeah can happen anywhere. What happens in Gibeah doesn’t “stay” in Gibeah. It brings chaos, suffering, and judgment to an entire nation and impacts generations.
I pray that God’s people will open our eyes. Instead of pretending that we can do whatever “seems right” that we will focus on what is really “right,” and that we will confess and grieve for our sins, instead of defiantly redefining our values and morals.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV)
What is Comfort? If you trace the origins of the word back to Latin, it comes from the same root as forte or fortify (fort, or fortare). The idea is one of strengthening, encouraging, giving courage and vigor. The prefix, com-, means jointly, or together. Comfort is what gives us strength as we come together. So, when I say that I am comfortable lying inert in an easy chair all by myself, I am actually missing the real gift of comfort.
Comfort is not the absence of pain or suffering. We cannot give comfort to someone who is enjoying a trouble-free life. In fact, when Jesus spoke to the crowds during His ministry on earth, He often made some people very ‘un’-comfortable by jolting them out of their self-righteousness and self-importance. Jesus did not lead a ‘comfortable’ life of ease and plenty; instead, He lived a life of comforting those in distress– the sick, the outcasts, the guilty, those who had little hope and even less strength. He went without many of the conveniences and securities we take for granted– a house, steady income, status, luxuries, a bank account, a college degree–He didn’t treat Himself to the perks of being a Rabbi or take vacations at a resort on the Sea of Galilee– instead, He spent some of His ministry calming the stormy waters and comforting His terrified disciples! (See Mark 4)
When we pray for someone to be comforted, we long to see them strengthened and encouraged. But sometimes, we also desire that God would make their life easy and free of problems. This is natural– no one likes to suffer– but the promise of comfort is NOT to make our life easy and full of constant happiness. The point of comfort is to help us strengthen each other, cheer each other on, encourage one another, and thrive together, no matter our circumstances.
Comfort, strength, encouragement– they are meaningless to someone who never has had to struggle. But to anyone who has felt alone and abandoned IN their struggles, comfort is a priceless gift– one that God gives us in abundance so that we can pass it on. It is exactly what Jesus practiced during His earthly ministry– He traveled dusty roads, enduring hardship and discomfort to bring healing and hope to thousands and gave His very life ‘a ransom for many.’ (Matthew 20:28 KJV)
Who could use your gift of comfort and encouragement today? Say a prayer of comfort– thanking God for the times He has given you strength and courage– and practice giving that comfort to someone else! Send a note, lend a hand, make a phone call, visit, give a smile to a stranger– it doesn’t take a lot– but make the most of every opportunity to strengthen those around you.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8
Do you know God? Do you really KNOW Him? The psalmist (David) could give us a long list of God’s attributes– His Wisdom, Strength, Faithfulness. In fact, there are many psalms which do this. But David is writing this psalm from a place of danger, fear, and need. He is in exile, being stalked by his king and father-in-law, Saul. David is on the run, and his reputation makes him unwelcome in surrounding countries– they do not trust that David “the giant-slayer,” and his retinue of outcast soldiers will bring peace and security. So, David has come up with a strange plan. He pretends to be insane!
David’s reputation is in tatters, his life hangs on a knife’s edge in a region known for warfare and bloodshed. And it is HERE, in these circumstances, that David writes about God’s faithfulness. He doesn’t just recite what he has heard about God’s faithfulness– he testifies from experience.
God has given us His Word so that we may know about Him. But He has given us so much more! God can be known, and he can be KNOWN. He can be experienced, in the same way that we experience friendship, trust, and intimacy with other people. I may know a lot about a figure from history– even Jesus Christ– without ever KNOWING them. But God invites us to have a personal relationship with Him, through Christ, that transcends anything we can learn or memorize about Him.
The Apostle Paul, in Romans, gives us another picture:
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” Romans 1:18-25 (emphasis added)
God reveals Himself in creation so that we can know His “invisible qualities.” But through the Holy Spirit, He reveals more of Himself to those who follow Christ– those who repent of their sin and seek His Face. We don’t just know a list of facts about God. We “taste” and “see” His goodness. We drink in the Joy of our Salvation (see Psalm 51:12), catch fleeting glimpses of Heaven, and walk in the aroma of Christ’s Holiness. We feel the guiding touch of the Holy Spirit and the healing, strengthening, and comfort He provides. We “hear” His voice of wisdom. Following Christ is a total sensory experience– far greater than just academic knowledge.
And this sustains our faith and our hope as we travel through difficult and challenging times. We may not face exile, betrayal, and persecution, as David did, but we can experience the solid conviction of God’s promises as we “take refuge in Him.” We can enjoy peace and security that transcends our circumstances, and put our trust in the one who is forever faithful and true.
Just a tiny taste can leave a lasting impression– just bit into a spicy jalapeno, a sweet date, or a savory meat pie! It may be impossible to put the experience into words, but your whole body responds to the delight (or the burning heat)! Jesus, in His Revelation to St. John invited us with a metaphor of a meal:
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 (ESV)
It is good to study and know about Christ, but it is so much better to accept His invitation to “taste and see” a life of fellowship with Him!
22 And they came to Beth-sa′ida. And some people brought to him a blind man, and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see men; but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and saw everything clearly. 26 And he sent him away to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”
Have you ever wondered why certain stories and events are recorded in the Bible while others are not? Scholars and theologians have been trying to make sense of this story for centuries. Why did Jesus spit on the man’s eyes? Why did He do the healing in two stages, when He had the power to heal the man instantly? Why did He grab the man’s hand and lead him out of town? Why did He tell the man not to enter the village on his way home? We are left with dozens of questions and no definitive answers.
This is not the only gospel story (or Biblical story for that matter) that raises questions and includes inexplicable elements. In fact, many people, wanting to discredit the Bible, point to stories like this as “proof” that the Bible is not “true”; there are too many unanswered questions, inconsistencies, gaps and omissions. Why is God silent for hundreds of years between the prophets and the gospels, or why do we have no account of Jesus’ teen years? Why are there stories of some of the Judges, and mere mentions of others? Why did some writings become “canon” and others became apocryphal or even heretical? For my part, I find such stories to be proof that the Bible IS inspired by God– Truth really is often stranger than fiction!
I don’t intend to try to answer all the unanswered questions, but since I think that ALL scripture is inspired by God, I’d like to look at what this passage might have to say about prayer, sight, and walking with Christ.
First, this story comes about because, as Jesus is coming up to Bethsaida, he is approached by a group begging him to heal their blind friend. Jesus responds by taking the blind man by the hand and leaving– taking him out of town and away from his friends. We aren’t told why, but I think even without explanation, there are two “takeaways” here:
The blind man was not asking for healing– for whatever reason, his friends were the ones asking for help on his behalf. We jump at the chance to pray for people who ask for help and prayer, but are we as eager to pray for those who do NOT? The passage says the friends brought the blind man to Jesus– it doesn’t say if the man came willingly, grudgingly, unknowingly, or eagerly. His friends brought him and begged for Jesus to touch/heal him. We should have the same passion for lifting up our friends, family, neighbors, bosses, community workers, leaders, and even enemies.
Jesus took the man out of town to heal him. Nowhere in the passage does it mention that his friends followed or saw the healing take place. The story includes them, and their actions, but it is not ABOUT them. Just because we beg God for a miracle, or ask Him to help us plant a seed or make a difference, doesn’t mean that we will get to see the result. Often, God will remove someone from our life just as they are on the verge of changes– even miracles– for which we have prayed. That doesn’t negate our need to keep praying, nor should it diminish our joy at the ultimate result.
Next, there is the curious circumstance of the two-phase healing. Jesus spits, touches the man’s eyes, and then asks, “Do you see anything?” It is a unique question from Jesus. Normally, in the healing process, Jesus doesn’t ask, he commands..“I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” (Mark 2:11 NIV); When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out! (John 11:43 NIV); He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”) (Mark 5:41 NIV). Just as curious is the answer from the man. Yes, he can see, but there is obviously a problem that needs to be addressed. In this instance, healing did not come instantly and completely.
My point here is not to speculate, or try to find answers as to why this story is so different. But once again, I see a couple of points to ponder:
Jesus often leads us to a place of questions instead of clear solutions, and it can be frustrating and uncomfortable. But he doesn’t leave us there, alone and with no remedy (even if it feels scary in the waiting!) Jesus did not torment the man with a hundred questions; he didn’t blame the man for not seeing clearly right away; and he didn’t leave him unable to see clearly. Instead, he asked the man a simple question, “Do you see anything?”
When I am in a season of questions, am I listening for and listening TO the questions or merely itching for an easy answer?
Jesus didn’t explain his question or justify his healing. He didn’t redirect or ask a hundred clarifying questions. He was more interested in the man’s response. The man could have answered, “Yes, I can see,” and walked away disappointed and half-healed. He could have answered in anger or bitterness or sarcasm and unbelief. “How could you do this to me?. What good is my sight if everything looks wrong?”
How do I answer when Jesus leads me to a place of questions? Am I honest with myself and with Him about what I see (or don’t see clearly)? Do I answer with the truth, or do I answer with impatience and distrust?
Lastly, we have a curious ending to story, though one more consistent with other healing events– Jesus restores the man’s sight so that he can see perfectly. Then he directs him NOT to enter the village when he returns home. Once again, I want to look at what I can learn and apply from this passage:
God wants to bring restoration and correction. He wants me to see clearly. He wants me to see others clearly; he wants me to see Him clearly. It isn’t just physical sight that is important to Him. He wants me to get insight as well. I don’t need to have all the answers to the many questions this passage brings up to get insight and wisdom from it, but I do need to see that there IS wisdom to be gained from studying even the odd passages He has chosen to give us in His Word.
God brings healing and insight, but He also gives us direction– in this case, the man was NOT to enter the village. Once again, we are not given a reason why. And we are not given any information as to the man’s response. Did he obey? It is a curious feature of many of Jesus’ healings that He commands people not to run off and tell others. On this point, since it happens often, I will speculate..I don’t believe that God wants us to stay silent about miracles and blessings, but I do believe that there are good reasons to pause and reflect before we spread the word:
So often, in our elation and wonder, we trumpet “our” miracles and blessings– as though we were singled out because of who we are or what we have done or how we prayed. We don’t do this on purpose; we’re normally not even aware of how it sounds to others…In time, the wonder sinks deeper, the humble awareness of God’s mercy and grace replaces the initial euphoria and self-congratulation. We bring more glory to God and less attention to ourselves. In my excitement when God sends me blessing, do I try to take some of the credit, or take pride in His gifts?
Related to this is the temptation to forget that others around us are still in pain or darkness. God’s power to heal is absolute, but He doesn’t choose to remove all pain, nor does he prevent us from experiencing suffering and tragedy. We NEED to share stories of His power, mercy, grace, and joy, but we need to do so with loving insight into the hearts and lives of others, remembering to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15) Do I spend equal time listening to others, praying for them and sharing their burdens?
The commands of Jesus are not arbitrary or capricious. We may not understand why, but we should trust that they are for our good and God’s glory. We don’t know what might have awaited the man in Bethsaida. What we do know is that Bethsaida was singled out (along with Chorazin) as a village of unbelief and stubborn refusal to accept miracles. When God closes a door of opportunity in my life, do I keep trying to break in? Or do I take the next step in faith?
So I ask myself today– “Do I see anything?” “Do I see clearly?” and “Am I obeying Christ’s direction for the next step?”
We live in dark times. War, hatred, terrorism, oppression, destruction, and despair– they are all around us. And yet, we pray. We do not succumb to the darkness, but we seek out the light. Many Christians pray in literal darkness, as they have no electricity, or they are in dark prisons, or they worship in secret locations and inner rooms. But many of us pray in figurative darkness– our minds and eyes clouded with overstimulation and muddied theology. And we may pray “in the dark” about the situations faced by our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world– even in other parts of our local communities!
Praying in the dark, much like walking in the dark, involves a lot of caution, and a lot of trust. We pray strategically, knowing there are unseen obstacles and dangers around us, but confident that, with God’s wisdom and presence, we can avoid them and reach our goals.
What are some specific features that prayer should have when we find ourselves in the dark places of life?
Fervency–There is a quality of urgent and whole-hearted commitment to seeing God’s face, God’s wisdom, God’s will, God’s timing, and God’s guidance as we pray. “Not my will, but THINE, be done!” Christ, as He prayed in Gethsemane (see Matthew 26:36-46) We may not sweat drops of blood, but we should pray with a fervent desire to offer our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1)
Focus– Sometimes, we can “see” more clearly in the dark. This is because we have fewer (visual) distractions. When we are overwhelmed with darkness, we let go of lesser things and concerns, and we pray for those things we really need, rather than those things we desire. We also have a greater sense of God’s provision and power, so we grow more grateful and joyful for what we DO have. ” For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV)
Frequency–I pray almost constantly when I am burdened or facing obstacles that seem impossible to overcome. Dark times can remind us that God alone can be trusted to lead us through. HE is God, and I am NOT! And like the men and women of the Bible who faced incredible odds, I can trust Him to hear and act. He sees me, He hears me, He Loves me, and He has a plan for my life that includes being with Him for Eternity! “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV)
Fellowship– This one may seem counter-intuitive. Many times, I feel more alone in the dark. But I have learned that I can actually feel just as lonely in a crowd and in the light. Dark times may make our “circle” smaller, but we may find that our few relationships grow stronger, and we open ourselves up to suffering in others that we would ignore in our carefree days. I think of those who end up on refugee camps or cancer treatment centers– the friendships made there are sometimes stronger than family! “Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.” Philippians 1:3-6 (The Message)
Darkness and trials can drive us away from help and hope. But when we learn to Pray in the dark– to seek God with a whole and undivided heart– He will be our light in the darkness and our hope in the midst of desperate circumstances. And we can take comfort, even in the midst of pain and danger, in knowing that we are NEVER alone when we pray– even in the dark! We may not know the perfect words or have the perfect circumstances; we may not be able to see our next step– but we serve a perfect God, who will never let us go. There is no darkness– no circumstance– that can separate us from God’s love or His salvation, or keep our prayers from reaching Him.
I love puns– friends from all over the world send me the craziest puns, “punny” images, silly videos, and awful jokes. Except for those that are patently offensive and find their humor at someone else’s expense, I really enjoy them all.
Someone has said that puns are the lowest form of humor, but I disagree. In fact, I often find that puns, like humor in general, can cause us to explore a serious topic in ways we would otherwise avoid. The image above tickled my funny bone, but it also caused me to think. Where is my Joy? Do I bottle it up and hide it down in my cart, or does it bubble up, iridescent and smelling of sunshine (and possibly lemons) from deep down in my heart?
I especially find myself looking for joy in the ordinary tasks of life. I really do not enjoy doing dishes, for example. But I can find joy– not the brand of dish soap, but the real thing!– even in such an ordinary chore. I can find joy as I clean the toilet, as I sort clothes for the wash, as I drive around town to do errands, and as I set aside time to pray for family and friends who are hurting and discouraged.
Prayer is a serious topic, but it shouldn’t be joyless. Even in our troubles, we can be confident that we are loved, cherished, and precious. In our grief and sorrow, we are not overwhelmed (though it often feels as if we are) when we have this kind of joy. It will wash away despair, anger, doubt, and weariness, as it rises up. We pray for so many other things– health, wisdom, forgiveness– we should also pray for Joy. Not the false and fleeting joy of a silly pun, or the veneer of joy that lies and says that “everything is great.” We need the kind of joy that sings through tears, laughs at storms, defies despair, and shakes the rafters!
Many people read about Jesus and conclude that He was a great teacher, but very sober and serious. And the Bible describes Him as a “man of sorrows” and one “acquainted with grief.” (Isaiah 53:3). Yet the Gospels also show Jesus as a man who welcomed children, shared meals with His friends, entered into wedding celebrations, and told His disciples to rejoice in the midst of persecution. Jesus was not a man who took life lightly, but He was a man who felt joy in simple things. He was able to relax in the joyful knowledge that even grief and pain are temporary, and our circumstances do not define our life. And joy is also listed as a fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23–“But the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. Against such things, there is no law.”
We need the quiet, blessed assurance that God is in His Heaven and even if all is not well with the world, God still has everything well in hand. Such joy, lodged deep in our heart and soul can keep us from buckling under the weight of loss, the exhaustion of stress, and the threat of chaos. It can fill us with peace and contentment, even as we go through ordinary or even dreary days. We need a new “Dawn” of “Joy” (yes, I had to include another pun). We need to pray for joy. We need to cherish it. And we need to pass it on.
Today is March 16. In my area of the world, we abbreviate it as 3/16/26, or just 3/16. So it reminds me of the most quoted verse in the Bible– John 3:16– “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (ESV) This verse is so famous and so quoted, that many times, people just skip the actual verse and just use the reference. In fact, if you just see a poster or sign of reference that says 3:16, it almost always means this verse.
Recently, I saw a short video of a person complaining about seeing such a reference on their soft-drink cup at the fast food chain In-N-Out Burger. The chain prints “John 3:16” on the inside of the bottom of their cups. They’re known for it. They don’t print out the entire verse, just the reference. It’s not blatant or over-bearing– just a modest note on the bottom of their cups. But this person wanted none of it. They started out by liking the food, but they were offended by this tiny reference to a Bible verse. “Keep your John 3:16,” they sneered. “I don’t want your John 3:16.” Apparently, it left a bad taste in their mouth just to see any reference to the Bible. They felt judged and oppressed, I guess.
But John 3:16 is not about judgment. It’s all about Love! For God SO LOVED the WORLD–take a minute to reflect on that. God, the Holy One, who created the world, only to have mankind reject Him over and over again, didn’t destroy it. He didn’t turn His back on the world. He didn’t leave us as a footnote and move on. Instead, He GAVE His ONLY begotten SON. He didn’t come up with a cheap plan for salvation that was just adequate to cover our worst sins and leave us enslaved to our old guilt and shame. He didn’t send a half-hearted emissary to show us what Heaven and Holiness were like. He sent His SON– the heir of the Universe–to live among us, show us how to love and live and worship. And that Son GAVE all of Himself as a sacrifice– not for a select few, but for WHOSOEVER would trust in Him and submit to His Lordship!
WHOSOEVER believes in Him will not perish, but have ETERNAL LIFE! How does that offend and oppress? The message of John 3:16 sums up the whole Gospel of Christ. It is NOT judgment, but Salvation. It is not oppression, but freedom from Sin and Death!
So today, I am thrilled to celebrate 3:16! It is a message of hope, joy, renewal, abundance, purpose, power, and LOVE!
In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (see Luke 10:25-37), an expert in the law asks Jesus, “What must I do to be saved?” Jesus, as he so often does, answers with a question of his own. “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” Of course, the expert in the law answers with confidence, and Jesus commends him for his answer. But the law expert isn’t mollified by Jesus’s affirmation. The law is clear, but it is not necessarily specific. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind.” That seems pretty clear. But the rest– “Love your neighbor as yourself”– Just who IS my neighbor?
Jesus answers with the famous parable about a man who is beaten and left for dead on the side of a dangerous road. Two religious leaders see him, but each refuses to help. Instead, a Samaritan (despised by the Jews) offers help and compassion, beyond what the law would dictate. Thus, the expert in the law must conclude that a “neighbor” is one who shows mercy and kindness to those whose path he crosses.
In another instance, Jesus talks about enemies:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:43-45 (NIV)
So, who is my enemy? If my neighbor is anyone who crosses my path, who is left to hate? Jesus IS more specific here. He commands us to pray for those who persecute us; that God causes the sun and rain (and other good and life-giving things) to happen for both the evil and the good; both the righteous and the unrighteous benefit from His mercy. God loves sinners so much that Jesus came to die for them! Jesus met a lot of needy people. He also met some nasty characters who never sought His forgiveness or His help. Yet He did not march in protest against oppression by Roman soldiers. He did not campaign to have the hypocritical Pharisees removed from their positions of power. He did not advocate stealing from the greedy tax collectors to pay for welfare programs. He allowed Himself to be arrested and even (unfairly) convicted and sentenced to death on a cross. His “enemies” were allowed to win a battle. But Jesus Christ has won the war. And when the war is over, there are no “enemies” left to fight!
There is a lot of talk today about enemies, and how they should be treated. We see enemies among our own neighbors who disagree with us politically, or who practice a different religion (or none at all). We see enemies in those who taunt us, or those who live more lavishly, or those whose position in life causes us to think of them as unfairly privileged, or unworthy of certain benefits. And, in many regions of the world, we see as enemies those who are causing war or inciting violence and damage against another nation. These are battles, indeed, but they are battles that, in God’s eyes, have already been won!
Jesus commands us to pray–even for those we may view as enemies! And we are to show mercy and love toward those who view US as the enemy! Not smug self-righteousness, or cold indifference. Not vengeful action or hateful rhetoric. Not name-calling or “cancelling,” “doxing,” or “ghosting” people. We are to pray for their well-being. We are to love them as we love ourselves!
In our own power, we cannot do this. It goes against our nature. We want to be “right.” We want to “win” our battles. We want to see justice done– NOW! We want to be able to dismiss and condemn those who are unrighteous. We want to see them pay. We want to be proved and justified. We want them to be found wanting in comparison with our own righteousness.
We do have a very real enemy– one who does not deserve our love or prayer. But it is not a person. Our enemy is Sin. Our “enemies” are godless spirits– of rebellion against God, of pride, of greed and rage and chaos. People may display behaviors and cling to false teachings; their actions may threaten us, horrify us, or disgust us. But there is a priceless soul involved– a soul who is in slavery to Sin. There is no person on earth who was not created in God’s image, or who is so far from God’s love and forgiveness that we are allowed to condemn. Therefore, there is no person for whom we cannot pray or show love.
Let me be very clear, however. There are certain actions that require us to stand up for truth and justice. Condoning dangerous, violent, unjust, evil actions– worse yet, promoting or participating in such actions in the name of kindness, empathy, “social justice,” equity, vengeance, or solidarity with a particular group–is not loving. We may defend the vulnerable, prosecute the violators of law, or work to remove ourselves from relationships that are abusive or oppressive, while still praying for our oppressors, persecutors, or self-described enemies. We may still show them forgiveness, work toward peace, and even treat them with respect without compromising our own dignity and adherence to the truth. We may (and should) continue to pray for justice. We may pray that the true enemy’s plans will be frustrated and ineffective, and that healing and righteousness will prevail.
Praying for our “enemies” is hard work. It requires us to be humble. It requires us to remember that we, too, are sinners saved by Grace, and not by our own actions or beliefs, but by God’s intervention and design. It requires us to see that our enemy is also our neighbor.
God, grant me the loving eyes to see others as You see them, and the wisdom to see my actions as others experience them.
