Jesus walked into each life situation and immediately assessed the thoughts of the heart of each person. Religious leaders questioned him, pontificated about him, pushed back at his word and work, accused him, schemed to destroy him to protect their thinking, and eventually killed him. Their hearts were hard. Their minds were blocked. Their souls were closed to the man the Scriptures had promised.

And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, "Why do you question in your hearts? ²³Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? ²⁴But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he said to the man who was paralyzed—"I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home." Luke 5:21-24

The lame, the deaf, the blind, the hungry, the thirsty, the untouchables, the sick, the dying and even the dead whom Jesus raised had broken hearts and lives. Jesus declared, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:31-32 He knew the thoughts of their desperate hearts – they had no where else to turn because they were at life’s dead end. Jesus knows the thoughts of desperate lives. He knew they had no pretense and nothing to offer him; they were beggars. He stepped into those lives and brought hope, healing, wholeness and peace by his word and work.

If Jesus stepped into the room and perceived the thoughts of our hearts what would he find? There are only two possibilities: People who would question his every move or people who would do anything to get in proximity with his healing touch and power to receive from him that which he came to give. Either we would question his every move which would lead to hating him more or trust him more as he spoke his holy life, his suffering, his death and resurrection into our lives.

Jesus has stepped into our lives with his forgiveness, mercy and healing hand.  He gently tends to our hearts, the place he has made whole and holy so he can dwell there. What are the thoughts of our hearts? He stands ready to guide us into a deep journey into his questions, his life, his mercy, his wholeness.  He won freedom for our heart, soul, mind, body and spirit with his very life. He never promises a life of luxury or freedom from the troubles of this world; he promises himself. He promises abundant life as we abide in him. He promises peace in his resurrected life.

He promises that one day, when we pass through death in this world into life there will be no more tears, sorrow, pain or suffering. He calls us to wake up our hearts to his advent, his coming into our lives. He calls us to wake up to the reality of faith in him – we live IN Christ now and we will live IN Christ for eternity.  He says, I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

May God grant us to take heart and to trust his word and work. May God grant us boldness to speak Jesus’ life in this dying world. May the peace of Christ that passes understanding guard our hearts and lives in him and may we be truly free in his life. Blessings IN Christ, Cindy

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