24. Healing

"Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven you.' Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, 'Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?'

When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, 'Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' 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 said to the one who was paralyzed -- 'I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.' Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God." Luke 5: 18-25

*****

You are so wise, You

who look past the body

and see into the soul.

A broken man came to you

and you healed him.

And then,

as an afterthought,

(more for the crowd than the man)

you made him walk, too.

I'd like to think he knew it didn't matter

half as much.

That he already had a

spring in his step that had nothing to do with his

legs.

Soul healing,

sins forgiven

shriveled legs a reminder of the heart inside

he turned over to You.

At least I'd like to think so.

But Lord, take pity on us,

in case we're not so wise.

Heal the spirits within

our broken bodies, yes.

But, if you don't mind,

as an afterthought

(for the crowd, really)

could you make us walk, too?

Just in case

our simple souls need to see some proof

that we're well.