Jesus Knows ...
Jesus Knows Our Hidden Pain
Luke 13: 10-13 - "Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and in no way could raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, 'Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.' And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God."
Week after week, year after year, for eighteen years she came to the church seeking help - hoping, praying, desperate for a kind word, a sympathetic ear; but no one seemed to notice, no one seemed to care. And then, one day, He showed up! Jesus, the Miracle Worker, the Friend of sinners, the One she had heard so much about was there calling her to Himself! Then, with a word and a touch from Jesus, eighteen long years of sickness, anguish, pain, and humiliation were suddenly and dramatically transformed into a memory. Her faith and hope were rewarded in a way that exceeded her expectations. Now an overwhelming sense of gratitude and love for God filled her heart.
How have you been lately? I mean, how have you really been - deep down inside? Have you been struggling for a while? How long has it been? Maybe it’s been months or even years that you have been carrying that “hidden” burden with no apparent relief in sight. You know which one - the one that you feel you can’t share with anyone because it hurts so much or is too humiliating. Take courage. Be patient. Continue in prayer. Continue trusting and clinging to Jesus knowing that He sees you, loves you and knows your pain; and that, in due season, at just the right time, when you least expect it, you will look up and Jesus will be there, calling you to Himself.
-Christian Sidney
