Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Surprised by pain

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5-8
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness.

At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest."

Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness and said to them ... As you go, proclaim: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."

Perhaps it took time for Jesus to realize the extent to which Satan had devastated what God created. What God made for joy and eternity, Satan had turned to despair and death. Disease and demons had no place in Eden. They have no place in heaven, either; but earth - the creation fallen out with God - is where they dwell.

Of course I've lived only within the borders of this universe. Listening to my teachers I learn that death and despair are part of the human condition. One noble way to respond is by exalting life and protecting the environment. Earth is all we have.

Jesus offered his disciples another way to see their world with his words, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." In heaven the sick are cured, the dead are raised, the lepers are cleansed, and demons do not exist. He asked them to live out the idea that the world has been made wrong, and that God has come to change that. That they have been given new life, and they can give new life to others. Jesus anointed them with the oil of heaven to carry to others all over the earth.

So I am surprised when I feel pain. I don't expect to die; I expect to live forever. Babies express this with gusto. There's suddenly something wrong here. Take care of me!

When I join the "communion of saints" I surrender selfishness. Jesus insists that I give rather than take, relax my hold rather than grasp, let go instead of hold on. Freely I have received, so I can freely give. To do this within the confines of the earth invites attack and even physical death. But it acknowledges the primacy of the kingdom of heaven and allows it to spread further over all the world.

Jesus did not just bring a sample slice of pie in the sky by and by. He brought the recipe and ingredients and pie pan and oven.

Let your vision overtake me, Lord, so I can see what you have made and are making of this world you created.

Devotions Archive

Surprised by pain

Saturday, December 6, 2008