As Jesus walked about the ancient towns with His disciples performing miracles, telling stories in parables, and teaching publicly about the kingdom of Heaven, He did these things with purpose. During our Easter play the first miracle performed was Jesus healing the crippled boy. This crippled boy hobbled up to the crowd on a crutch made of wood.
As I thought about this boy I wondered if he was curious, as little boys are, perhaps he wanted to see what all the hoopla was about or perhaps he had heard about the miracle worker. Either way there he was doing the best he could to get there. Perhaps the other children had ran ahead, leaving him behind but that didn’t stop him, he hobbled on. Jesus was busy teaching, but in the distance He noticed this boy. This boy mattered to Jesus, He stopped teaching and got up and went to meet him.
As Jesus stoops down He gets eye level with this lad. He puts his hand on his leg, that old withered leg that’s held him back from so many things and gently takes away his crutch. He feels healing power run through his body and he immediately knows. He lowers his leg and begins to put pressure where a withered leg once had no strength. Pushing off, he takes that first step, he begins to walk, then he runs. He's healed!
Can you imagine that feeling? This boy who was left out, and left behind, a boy who could only watch the other children run the bases in a ballgame was now standing, running, and leaping! Oh, the joy he must have felt!
This story serves a dual purpose. Remember, Jesus only does things with purpose. He heals the sick but He came to help us stand on His promises too. Have you ever felt like this crippled boy? Left out, left behind in life, overlooked, can’t keep up, improvising for shortcomings as you hobble along? If we’re not careful we’ll begin to lean on the wrong things to get us through this life.
May I ask you, what crutch are you leaning in on?
Listen, Jesus notices you! He sees you! He has the power to help you stand. Give Jesus the crutch you’re leaning on. He promises if we stand in faith, we win in this life. It’s time to stand on his promises and walk in a new way and he has the power to help you do it.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Sharon Ingram