“One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting near by (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, “Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the one who was paralyzed—“I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.” Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen strange things today.” Luke 5:17-26

“An Arm and a Leg”

“That’s going to cost you an arm and a leg!” is a common phrase that means simply that some item or service is going to cost to the point of real sacrifice. In other words, buying this item is going to hurt – the price is high. Now, where did such a phrase come into existence?

If we step back in time to George Washington’s day, we realize of course that there were no cameras. For a portrait to be produced, it had to be painted or sculpted. If you notice old pictures, you will notice something interesting. Many of the paintings consist of just a person’s face. At other times, a person is portrayed with one arm behind their back or both arms may be visible. Interestingly enough, portraits were not charged by the number of people who appeared in the picture, but rather by the number of limbs that were painted. In other words, if they wanted a cheaper painting, then it would “cost them an arm and a leg.” Artists knew it took more time and effort to paint such a portrait, since arms, hands and legs were more difficult to paint.

I remember watching my brother-in-law practice drawing hands, and fingers, and arms. It truly takes an artist’s perspective, time and patience to get such features just right. He would draw, and draw hands in different poses, different positions – fists, fingers, bent and extended poses of the hand. I think people who can draw in such a way, who can see with such perspective is truly G-d inspired.

The efforts of the friends of this man who is paralyzed and lying on a bed – the lengths that they go to see that he can see Jesus is truly miraculous. After trying and trying to get close to Jesus, they take a different route – they come from above – right through the roof.

To what lengths will you go to get in touch with G-d? How difficult has it been to see Jesus working in your midst every day? Perhaps you need a new perspective – perhaps you need to try a different route. Persistence and practice will pay off – for our relationship with G-d grows stronger the more we put it to use.

Pastor Dave

“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” Matthew 26:36-45

“Minding Your P’s & Q’s”

This is a phrase we hear a lot when adults are speaking to children, albeit a bit of an outdated phrase. It is a term that has come to signify that you are taking care, watching what you are doing, working hard to get it right. The origins on this idiom are actually rather simple. This one dates back to a time when local taverns, pubs and bars served drinks by the quart and by the pint. Bar maids had to keep an eye on the customers and keep the drinks coming. They had to pay special attention to which patrons were drinking pints and which were drinking quarts — thus the term came to be known, “minding your p’s and q’s.”

Jesus often warned his disciples to “keep awake” – “be alert” – and to be watchful. Why? Well, even in the time of Jesus, it was easy for life to get in the way of maintaining a strong relationship with G-d. When we are facing daily struggles and trying to scratch out a living, we can lose our focus – especially lose our focus on what truly matters. Jesus was warning his disciples to keep awake for the coming of G-d’s kingdom in their midst – and for the coming of G-d. Both were incarnated through Jesus – he is G-d and his birth inaugurated the coming of the Kingdom of G-d.

My friends, keep awake – for we know neither the time nor the date of Christ’s return. Yet, we continue to live into the promise that he is coming – and actually comes every day.

Pastor Dave