But when they saw Him walking on the water, they
thought He was a ghost, and screamed out. For they all saw Him and they were
absolutely terrified. But Jesus at once spoke quietly to them, “It’s all right,
it is I myself; don’t be afraid!”
And He climbed aboard the boat with them, and the
wind dropped. But they were scared out of their wits. They had not had the
sense to learn the lesson of the loaves. Even that miracle had not opened their
eyes to see who He was. Mark 6:49-52
The Spirit of the
Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to
proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to
give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of
praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of
righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:1-3
So I was up late last night sifting through old
photos from the Dominican Republic and Mexico, trying to put together a
duplicate album before my groupon coupon expired. And woven throughout those ten years was Isaiah 58
because that was pretty much the promise Alan and I claimed with our life together:
And
the Lord will guide you
continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places.
And Isaiah continues
to declare the work of Jesus, to bind up the brokenhearted and to proclaim
liberty to the captives. And sometimes I feel a heck of a lot like those dopey
disciples, although perhaps I mask my absolute terror with a pit of taped-on facade.
Really honestly and truly, I know how many happy fistfuls of sandwiches a half
a loaf of pan Bimbo and an almost-empty jar of peanut butter can make. Has He
not demonstrated Who He Is over time and time?
And yet once
again, He speaks quietly, “It’s all right, it is I myself; don’t be afraid!”
God, help me to have eyes that see the faint of spirit and those who
mourn. Holy Spirit, prod me— do not allow me to walk away— help me join in
building up the ancient ruins.
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