"The crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing" (Matthew 15:31). The maimed were made whole. So many of Jesus' other healing miracles, though miraculous, seem to have involved a more hidden transformation. The crowd didn't see what changed in the eyes of the blind when Jesus restored their sight, nor did they see what changed in the mouths of the mute. But when the maimed were made whole, the exterior evidence of transformation would have been undeniable. At Jesus' word, crushed bones were rebuilt and set straight, gnarled hands and crumpled feet were made good as new, perhaps even missing limbs were restored. Those who saw these changes couldn't dispute that God had wrought a great transformation in these wounded people through Jesus Christ. As a result, "they praised the God of Israel" (v. 31).
Jesus is still at work transforming lives today, and I believe he does still work miracles. But few among us have had Jesus restore a hand where once there was no hand. The transformation we've received through Christ is often more of an interior transformation. That means it takes extra work on our part to make Jesus' work evident to others so that those who hear respond with praise to God. One way to do so is to share your testimony, to tell others the story of how Jesus has made you whole. How has Jesus transformed you? Who have you told? As your pastor, I would love to hear more such stories of God's work in your lives. If you'd like to share with me, or even share with the larger congregation, just send me an email or call the church office. Even better, you can pray for God to give you an opportunity to share how Jesus has changed you with a friend or neighbor from outside our church. Let's work together to make God's transforming work in our lives as evident to those around us as it was to the crowds when Jesus made the maimed whole.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Chris