Mary’s Lent Diary (Day 17)

As I said a couple of entries back, news about Jesus is spreading.  Fast.  People are hearing about the miracles he is doing and want to see for themselves.  Actually, many of them want to more than see for themselves, they want Jesus to heal them.  Part of me still finds it hard to believe that it is my son, my Jesus, who is causing such excitement…I really hope his first few miracles were not one-offs, or people are going to be very disappointed.

I needn’t have worried – all the people who came to Jesus were healed! And those who were demon-possessed had the demons driven out!  But when the demons tried to speak and tell people that Jesus was the Son of God, he would not let them.  He silenced them.  Why would he do that?  I don’t understand.  He IS the Son of God – I think that is amazing, why does it have to be a secret?  Anyway, I am sure he knows best, I will just have to trust Him (and keep my mouth shut about him being God’s son!).

It turns out that there was a reason Jesus did all those healings, besides compassion.  It was to fulfil what the prophet Isaiah wrote all those years ago.  I must have heard this passage read before, but now it is different – I actually know the one it is talking about:

‘Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our diseases’ Isaiah 53:4

It is talking about Jesus.  He certainly sorted out people’s infirmities and diseases today!  But why do I get the feeling that the words from Isaiah mean more than just doing what Jesus did today?  That sword is piercing my heart again…

Ambulance moving at speed

Why didn’t Jesus want the demons to tell people that He was the Son of God? After all, He was.

One reason could be to show His authority over them.

Jesus has more power than the devil. Sometimes it is good to remind ourselves of that.

Another reason could be that He wanted to reveal who He was in His own timing.

When we wish things were different, or are unsure of what to do, or are struggling with change, or are overwhelmed, or don’t understand; or are none of those things,

maybe we could remind ourselves to trust in God’s timing.

My times are in your hands.

Psalm 31:15

As we trust His timing,

trusting ourselves to His timing,

matching our pace to His,

may we know Him showing us more of who He is.

What will He show you of Himself today?

Jesus’ miracles were not one offs. They kept coming.

His miracles blessed people, and the blessings kept coming.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3: 22-23

The mercies/blessings won’t run out.

And they are presents from God.

What blessings will you experience today?

Jesus took up our infirmities (Isaiah 53).

He carries our illness, our hurting, our injustices.

He took them on Himself.

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering….

and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:4a, 5b

Jesus took the bruises.

What hurts us, hurts Him.

Because He loves us.

Are you bruised at the moment?

Bruised from life experiences?

You’re not on your own in it all.

Jesus is here for you and with you.

God loves you so much that He gave you Jesus… (based on John 3:16)

Lord Jesus,

Help me match my pace to Yours.

My times are in Your hands.

Thank You for blessing me.

Thank You for loving me.

Thank You for being here for me.

Amen

Mary’s Memo Notice Blessings