Article

Peter and John were entering the temple at the ninth hour when a man, born lame, looked towards them, expecting alms. This lame beggar featured prominently at the front of a gate named Beautiful. The gate had a good name but the man’s situation was the opposite. He sat at the beautiful gate but right from his birth, his situation had been ugly (Acts 3:1-2). On this very day, this lame beggar never thought his situation would receive a divine touch until it happened. When he looked up, all he expected was money/alms. He got freedom. He was surprised.

The woman with the issue of blood dealt with this medical problem for over a decade. All the physicians in her town must have known her. She must have lost some friends or jobs because of the infirmities. Some employers would not even hire her because she could not dress in a certain way. How ridiculous this was, that the woman was just living daily under fear and humiliation. One day, she was blessed to see Jesus passing. She spoke within herself and made a final decision to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. The rest became history.

Lazarus was dead for four days. When he was sick, his sister, whom Jesus loved, implored Jesus to come down to Bethany because His friend was dying. Instead of taking some time off to meet Lazarus and heal him, Jesus waited four days. At this time, Lazarus was no longer a stranger in the tomb. Jesus got to where he was buried, called him out “Lazarus, come forth” (John 11:43). He that was dead rose up. The Master’s Voice!

We may not be facing afflictions that are similar to those above but know that there is nothing new under heaven. This is one reason why Jesus came in human form. He came to feel what we now feel. The Bible says “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses …. (Heb. 4:15). All we need to do is recognize our inadequacies and see and acknowledge our sinfulness, accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, go to God in prayer through Jesus Christ and seek forgiveness for our sin, and our salvation is sure. Jesus came that we may have a good life and glorify Him with our being. The bones that were broken will rejoice (Psalms 51:8). The lilies are fed daily and sparrows don’t lack the care of God. There shall no longer be evil news in your household because God will replace them with good tidings. We shall not lack any good things anymore in Jesus name. Please let us abstain from any appearance of sin and it shall be well with us in Jesus name. Amen.