Years ago I knew someone who created an alarm clock which imitated the sunrise. Instead of emitting a loud beep, this clock gradually grew brighter until, at the desired wake-up time, light completely filled the room. 

This type of innovative, out-of-the-box thinking intrigues me. Sometimes it leads to fun inventions, like the alarm clock. Other times it helps us find our way through seemingly hopeless situations. 

In the New Testament, we read about a group of men who found a creative way to solve a problem. Jesus had just returned to Capernaum after preaching throughout Galilee (Mark 1:38-39; Mark 2:1). As He preach the word, people crowded around the house and blocked the door. A group of men carrying a paralytic also came. But because of the crowd, they couldn’t reach Jesus. Undaunted, they climbed onto the roof and made an opening. Then they lowered their friend into the presence of Jesus (Mark 2:1-4).

By this time in His ministry, Jesus had healed many people (Mark 1: 21, 29-34). Presumably, the paralytic and his friends searched for Jesus in hopes of receiving a similar blessing. So I imagine Jesus’ response may have taken them by surprise:

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5 NIV)

Instead of immediately healing his paralysis, Jesus granted the man a spiritual healing ~ forgiveness of his sins. The Bible doesn’t tell us how the paralytic felt at this point. He may have been elated to know his sins were forgiven. Especially since people at that time equated physical ailments with a punishment for sin (John 9:1-2 ). But I imagine he also felt some disappointment: Why did Jesus heal so many others? Why not me?

Honestly, this has been my struggle at different points in my life. I’ve stood on the sidelines and watched as family members, friends, and even strangers receive the blessings I’ve desired. In those moments it’s easy to question God’s love for me. Or to imagine the withholding of blessings is a punishment for some unknown sin. 

But this mindset is not supported by Scripture. To understand this, I have had to think outside of the box. Because in reality, Jesus didn’t heal every person who had diseases. Of the multitude laying by the pool called Bethesda, Jesus chose only one man to heal (John 5:1-9). And Jesus made it clear that not all illnesses are the result of sin (John 9:3). 

I’m learning that both the presence and the absence of fulfilled hopes can be instruments for glorifying God.

After forgiving the paralytic of his sins, Jesus did heal him physically. But the healing had a special purpose. Some of the teachers of the law in the crowd doubted Jesus’ authority to forgive sins ~ an authority reserved only for God (Mark 2:6-7). So Jesus healed the man in order to prove He did have this authority:

Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2:9-12 NIV)

When the people saw the miracle of the physical healing, they praised God. And the miracle testified to the authority of Jesus as the Son of God. But suffering can also lead to glorifying God. The Apostle Peter shared these words of encouragement:

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Peter 3:15a NIV)

In the context of his letter, Peter addressed Christians who suffered for doing good (1 Peter 3:13-14). Their circumstances seemed unlikely to change, yet Peter reminded them of their hope. 

Even in hard circumstances we can anchor our hope in His promise to us:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV)

At Christmas, we celebrate the hope of eternal life which Jesus brings us. During the holidays people think of Jesus more than at any other time. So we have the perfect opportunity to share that hope with others. 

Wherever the road leads me during this holiday season, I pray to hold fast to this hope and to share it with others. Wherever your travels take you, I pray you can do the same.