Rise Up

And after getting into a boat Jesus crossed the sea and came to his own town. And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” Then some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.” And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings. Matthew 9:1-8 

I have experienced not being able to walk, daily living requiring the help of others. I know the grind of day after day, wanting to leap up and leave the confines of one's bed, but I have never had to experience doing so as a beggar on the street. Ther is enough shame in being disabled, there is way too much isolation, being stepped around or stepped over. Being abandoned by family and friends to the street seems creulty added to the pain.

Jesus finds a paralyzed man on the street, heals him, and then sends him home. The unnamed man, gets up and goes home while the crowd stands in awe and the religious leaders get more angry. None seem to follow the man home, or inquire as to his life after healing. We don't know either. We do know that God's intervention is to healing and reconciliation, giving us the power to rise up and be reunited with those we love. We are invited to rise up and be about the work of healing and mending, body, hearts and relationships.

Today, I ask God to give me the strength to rise up each day and be about the work of healing and restoration. May we be empower with God's love to be the hands of our Creator in the world today.