“Lord Have Mercy On Me!”
The miraculous healings of Jesus confirmed the predictions of prophet Isaiah about a Messianic age in which “the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a dear, and the mute tongue shout for joy”(35:5-6b).
Two blind men followed Jesus calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” Jesus asked them whether they believed he was able to do it, and they answered, “Yes, Lord.” “Jesus touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith will it be done to you.’; and their sight was restored. “Jesus warned them sternly, ‘See that no one knows about this.’ But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region…” (Mt.9:27-34).
With the presence of media outlets – social media in particular – publicity has become the order of the day. Publicity is good for marketing, but it is not befitting for Christian practice; except we are accepting the perjorative slang that “church is business!”
When whatever we do in the service of the Lord has to be recounted as a means of naming our achievements, such works become our towers of Babel. The vocal Kenyan barrister Pro Lumumba says when you take one hour to name what you have done, it means you have done nothing. When you have done something you should shut up and let the thing speak for itself.
In many instances when Jesus healed somebody, he charged them not to make it public. Three reasons have been suggested why Jesus charged those he healed not to tell anyone:
- Jesus did not want to be considered just a miracle worker.
- He did not want his teaching ministry hindered by too much publicity given to his healing miracles, and,
- He did not want his death to come prematurely. That is to say he didn’t want to die when he had not completed his earthly ministry.
Whether it was any or all of the reasons above, the main point is that he charged the people he healed not to tell anyone. Maybe this can be a humbling lesson to us who make a public display of the people God heals through us!
On the part of those whom he healed, and to whom he warned sternly not to let anyone know, yet they went spreading the news, that was gross disobedience! Disobedience is disobedience!
Publicity stunt aside, our take home reflection: Somewhere, somehow, there is something that is lacking in you or that is an impediment to you. Call on the Lord Jesus Christ to have mercy on you. Believe that he can do what you ask of him and it will be done to you according to your faith. When it has been done, do as he has instructed, “See that no one knows about this!”
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me. I believe that you are able to do this. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Babila Fochang.