Gen. 32; Mark 3; Esther 8; Rom. 3

He makes things new.

These brothers at odds, and understandably so–one tricked his way into an inheritance. Their family divided. This is the start of a nation and people–though threaded thick with sin-theme (all of us). But God would make something new from it–something better. Jacob wrestles alone with God at night …

²⁸ “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” Genesis 32:28 NLT.

Made new.

A people on the verge of destruction–Haman’s plot sealed with a king’s signet ring. God uses Esther to bring about a different ending–and Mordecai writes words that empower and protect the Jews. There was great joy. A fate reversed, and hope–

made new.

Jesus on the Sabbath …

Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. ² Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

³ Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” ⁴ Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.

⁵ He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! Mark 3:1-5 NLT.

Restored. (Restored!)

Made new.

²¹ But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. ²² We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

²³ For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. ²⁴ Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. ²⁵ For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. Romans 3:21-25 NLT.

Sinners, fallen short of the standard–declared righteous.

Made new.

Father God, when I wrestle with you, and you make me new. I hold out my hand to you, and you restore what is broken–even if others say you can’t (or shouldn’t). You make me new. Kindness undeserved, your mercy–thankfully received. My life in your hands, new joy (my fate reversed–from death to life!) and hope. Declared righteous, and yours.

Courtney (66books365)

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Deuteronomy 32,33,34; Luke 8:26-56

People in the New Testament didn’t have the books in hand to read of all the miracles Jesus performed. They had him face to face. These stories in Luke 8:26-56 tell of Jesus healing. In one story, no crowds come out to meet him–just one naked, homeless man who lived in a cemetery. Metaphors color the page, and his need translates to vulnerability, wander, life among the dead. It was then I could relate.

The townspeople flock to the scene at the news of what happened, and they see this formerly possessed man clothed, sane, at Jesus’ side. They were afraid. (It makes me think of anytime someone changes–diet, sobriety, following Christ–it makes those around them uneasy, if not resentful.) They begged Jesus to go. Jesus got back in the boat and left.

A contrast to the following story where crowds greet Jesus. He is surrounded by so many people that when one touches the hem of his robe, he asks who did it.

⁴⁷ When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. ⁴⁸ “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” Luke 8:47-48 (NLT).

I see courage, fear, and the undeniable life-changing mark of Christ in these stories.

Courage of a lone man in his depravity to walk out, quite literally exposed, to meet Jesus. When townspeople went about their day-to-day in their own wandering and life among the dead, this one man approaches. Courage of a woman whose faith propelled her to reach out to the Lord and touch him–her life changed, healed.

Fear in a town at the transforming power of a stranger, a shaking up of status quo–they wanted no part. Fear in this woman, who could boldly reach out for healing, but hid back before a crowd until she couldn’t stay quiet any longer.

Jesus accompanies Jairus home to where his young daughter lay dying. Jesus tells him, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.”

⁵³ But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died. (Luke 8:53 NLT)

Quick to write someone off as dead (unchangeable, a lost cause). To laugh at a Savior and deny Him His power over a life. If faith as small as a mustard seed can move a mountain, it can transform a life in an instant–because He is mighty to save.

Courtney (66books365)