Power
If you had the power to change people's lives for the better, would you do it?
As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter. - Mark 1:29-45
When Jesus set out to spread the message of salvation to the people, the first thing he did was cure the sick.
Did it do that to get them to believe in him, or was he just so moved by their needs that he couldn't ignore them, knowing he could make a difference in their lives?
We tend to look at his miracles and accept them as examples of his divine power, without thinking that maybe he wants us to see his example and follow it.
What could we do that is similar to what he did?
We don't have his power.
Right. But we aren't powerless, either. We have our own abilities and capabilities, our strengths and skills. We may also have greater wealth than those we encounter in need.
Couldn't we do as Jesus did and heal using our means?
Perhaps we can come to someone's aid, listen to them as they struggle through a crisis, hold their hand and lift them up as Jesus did Simon's mother-in-law.
We don't have to perform miracles to make a difference.
We just have to care enough to want to help.
More to come...