YEARNING FOR KINGSHIP
The Lord Jesus is always there to fulfill our every need as we
journey through this life.
Part of
the human condition is to be dissatisfied with the present circumstances. We
are always looking for something better to come up, to be like those who seem
to be well off in life. The Israelites were dissatisfied that they did not have
a king. They wanted to be like the nations around them, and they thought a king
could unify them in their struggles against their enemies, especially the
Philistines.
Samuel
disagreed. He warned the people that a king could usurp their rights, take over
their possessions, and oblige them to be at his service. Deep within himself,
Samuel had an even stronger objection. He saw a monarchy in Israel as a
contradiction. God alone was the King of Israel. The people were, nonetheless,
so persistent that God allowed them to have a king, but with the understanding
that he would be a representative of God.
We need
to ask ourselves what kind of a king or leader we want in our own lives. The
Israelites were looking for someone who would insure safety and security. Do we
want someone who can safeguard us against sin, which alone can ultimately
destroy us? Do we want someone who can give us everlasting security and eternal
life?
In
today's Gospel we hear about healing and forgiveness! Jesus is the remedy for
each of us in our human weakness. When someone physically challenged was
brought to Jesus because of the faith of his friends, Jesus did the
unthinkable; He first forgave the man his sins. The scribes regarded this as
blasphemy because they understood that only God has the authority to forgive
sins and to unbind a man from his burden of guilt. Jesus claimed an authority
that came from God and He showed the power of God's redeeming love and mercy by
healing the cripple of his physical ailment. This man had been crippled not
only physically, but spiritually as well. Jesus freed him from his burden of
guilt and restored his body, too. The Lord Jesus is always there to fulfill our
every need as we journey through this life. Forgiveness and healing, brought
together, proclaims God's desire and intention to restore wholeness to every
dimension of our lives.
Jesus
filled the yearnings for kingship in Israel in a way which the people of that
time could not imagine. God is our true King. We must make Him the center, yes,
the center of our lives and our hearts. Mark's Gospel tells us that Jesus heals
the paralyzed man, something that can be proven to be true. When He does this
He deepens our trust that His forgiveness is the only way we can have true
peace. Like the Psalmist, you and I can proclaim, "Forever I will sing the
goodness of the Lord" (Ps 89:2).