“Take up thy bed, and walk”

http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/jesus-heals-a-lame-man-on-the-sabbath?cid=HPTH100313114&lang=eng

I love these short, simple, but beautiful videos. This one depicts Jesus healing a lame man on the Sabbath. As I watched it just now, I recognised some precious things. First, our Saviour knows each of us; he comes to all who are in need; his healing power is available to everyone – including (and perhaps especially) those who are overlooked or left behind. This man had waited at the pool of Bethsaida for years, hoping to be healed by its miraculous properties, but was always too late. So many times, he had missed out. Yet the Lord (as the video depicts it) came straight to him, and offered him a complete healing direct from the source of life itself.

Second, the Lord truly has the power to heal us – and the greatest healing we need is spiritual – our whole souls, body and spirit together. As He offers His hand to us – invites us to keep His commandments, to love Him and our fellowman, and to partake of the blessings of His Atonement – it is our faith and trust in His divinity that allows us to be healed. A trust that encompasses desire, following, seeking, hoping (eternal hope, not a vague desire), and life-cheerfulness – because God is real, Christ is before us with power and love and “healing in his wings”. As the lame man extended his hand and proved Jesus’ invitation to rise by allowing Him to help him stand, we also can take Christ’s hand and prove His promises.

The scribes/Pharisees/unbelieving Jews who came across the now-walking man had no idea of the true power that had been manifested. Their concern was with minor stipulations surrounding the Mosaic Law. A miracle had occurred! The lame man walked! Light and Life was in the world, yet they could not see it. But the man who had been healed knew his life was changed, and had joy. That mattered. Do we continually seek healing, knowing to Whom we must turn for help? Do we continually remember that Christ is our Saviour, and so His mission is to save us – in every way? Do we trust in Him, in His love and desire to help us, and in His power to do so? Do we know Him because we turn to Him thus continually? How do we seek His healing power daily? May we be as the lame man who heard the Saviour’s command to “rise…and walk”, took His hand and rose.