Carrying our bed. How many times do we talk about the flat roof. How the roofs are flat in South Asia and how people must have been upset. But what about the bed?
Jesus told the man he healed to rise, pick up his bed and go home. In the story before he told the man he healed of Leprosy to show himself to the priest. In the story after Jesus healed a man of his greed and avarice and then said, "Follow Me." But paralytic man is told to rise, pick up his bed, and go home. "Take that bed home. That bed you've been lying in till you despaired, you take that home."
First off we can't imagine carrying a bed around. We sleep in luxury, not on mats on hard floors. Many of my friends do sleep on the floor in South Asia. Bedrolls with small stashed treasures. They are transient affairs easily moved around their small spaces, rolled up to reveal a dining space, or a living room, or a space perfect for crowding into while a bride gets dressed. There is no space for one room to be Just The Living Room, or Just the Dining Room rather one room double, triples, as a room for all purposes. Imagine, it is almost as though Jesus told him to take his bedroom with him. I makes me giggle at the thought.
"Rise, grab your bedroom and go home."
Jesus loved this man. He healed him from his sin, his number one problem. He saved him. Then Jesus healed his body. And then Jesus reminded him to not forget his bedroom. Sweet Jesus our Savior, Healer, and Friend.
As we enter this advent season lets remember the practical things that help our returns home. Can you imagine the delight of his family as he WALKED into the house. They wouldn't care about his bed at that moment but perhaps that night they would need it desperately. As you go home or wherever else you may be going take the miracle of what Jesus has done and is doing in your life with you. Also take practical needs with you. Things that might meet unspoken or easily forgotten needs.
And by the way, Pack your toothbrush!
Jesus told the man he healed to rise, pick up his bed and go home. In the story before he told the man he healed of Leprosy to show himself to the priest. In the story after Jesus healed a man of his greed and avarice and then said, "Follow Me." But paralytic man is told to rise, pick up his bed, and go home. "Take that bed home. That bed you've been lying in till you despaired, you take that home."
First off we can't imagine carrying a bed around. We sleep in luxury, not on mats on hard floors. Many of my friends do sleep on the floor in South Asia. Bedrolls with small stashed treasures. They are transient affairs easily moved around their small spaces, rolled up to reveal a dining space, or a living room, or a space perfect for crowding into while a bride gets dressed. There is no space for one room to be Just The Living Room, or Just the Dining Room rather one room double, triples, as a room for all purposes. Imagine, it is almost as though Jesus told him to take his bedroom with him. I makes me giggle at the thought.
"Rise, grab your bedroom and go home."
Jesus loved this man. He healed him from his sin, his number one problem. He saved him. Then Jesus healed his body. And then Jesus reminded him to not forget his bedroom. Sweet Jesus our Savior, Healer, and Friend.
As we enter this advent season lets remember the practical things that help our returns home. Can you imagine the delight of his family as he WALKED into the house. They wouldn't care about his bed at that moment but perhaps that night they would need it desperately. As you go home or wherever else you may be going take the miracle of what Jesus has done and is doing in your life with you. Also take practical needs with you. Things that might meet unspoken or easily forgotten needs.
And by the way, Pack your toothbrush!
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