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Opening upFriday, December 4, 2009
Matthew 9:28-30
"Yes, Lord," they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, "Let it be done for you according to your faith." And their eyes were opened.
And he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." And the man got up and went home. Leaping and laughing and praising God. My friend John wept today as he described his joy at finding the pearl of great price, the treasure in the field. He is more than 65 years old. He has been looking all his life. At last he came upon the treasure, asked God what it was; and God told him: "This is what you've been looking for. And here I am, John, giving it to you, no strings attached ... ally ally in free. You are safe now. Feel my arms around you. I love you. You have always been mine, and now you see." John laughed and laughed because his revelation came in the midst of continuing difficult eyesight as he recovers from eye surgery. He can't see well enough to drive, he can't see comfortably to read or watch TV for very long. So he spent a whole day after Thanksgiving praying. Asking God questions, and listening to the answers. Watching in awe as God turned darkness into light. He didn't miss his eyes. He needed God, asked for God to come, and God came. Why do I think I need anything more? No more gifts, only the Giver. Lord, I fear no one and no thing. You are my light and my freedom, and you are the stronghold of my life. Please let me stay always in your house, high on the rock, lit with goodness and life. My confidence is in your strength, and I will wait for you. (Psalm 27) |
Blindness comes in many guises. Jesus wants to change my darkness into light. This is a story about changing darkness into light. And it makes me think of another story in the same chapter (Matthew 9:1-13): Jesus is talking to the Pharisees about a paralytic lowered through the roof to reach him: "So that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...."