Restored

We've been studying the book of Mark in our Sunday morning Bible study.  In chapter 14 Mark tells us of a woman who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume as He dined at the home of a man known has Simon the leper.  It's one one my favorite stories in the New Testament.   There is also accounts of Jesus being anointed In Matthew 26, Luke 7, and John 12.   I thought about some other favorite Bible accounts as well and two others came to mind.  In Mark 5 Jesus encounters a man who is possessed by an evil spirit.  He frees this man from this dark oppression and restores him to his right mind.  The other story is in John 8.  It tells of a woman caught in adultery who is brought to Jesus by the religious leaders. They are looking for Him to condemn her.

As I mulled over these stories (I'm pretty sure I am meditating on the Word here!)  I thought about what attracted me to these snippets Jesus' life.  It's the compassionate, caring interaction of Jesus  and the restoration to wholeness that touches and reaches my heart.  It's what makes coming to Jesus so comfortable and non-scary.

In the stories of the women who anointed Jesus, the one in Luke 7:36-50 was considered an immoral woman.  Yet Jesus accepted her, and forgave her and sent her off in  peace.  Her story has been read myriad of times, remembered through the ages.  In the other accounts, like in Matthew 26:6-10 and Mark 14:3-9, Jesus eats in the house of Simon.  Simon was a former leper whom Jesus had healed.  Instead of being shunned and ostracized, forced to live apart from society, Simon was now in his home, restored to his family, his life, enjoying a meal with His Savior.

In Mark 5:1-20, Jesus meets up with a poor soul who is imprisoned by evil spirits.  They constantly hurt him, forcing him to cut himself,  He lived among the dead, surrounded by their tombs, in dark caves of death, chains and shackles unable to hold him....a horrible, lonely, painful existence.  Yet Jesus comes and sets Him free.  He takes pity on this man and restores him to wholeness.

Then there is the woman caught in adultery.  I can't begin to imagine the shame and terror she was feeling as she was dragged by the religious elite through the streets and thrown down before Jesus while they all stood around  with sneers on their faces.  But instead of condemning her, Jesus forgives and send her off in peace.

Each of these speaks of a life restored.  Jesus kindly, compassionately, and lovingly restores their lives.  They came to Him, He came to them, one was brought (or more likely dragged) to Him....however they encountered Jesus...He made the difference.  I love these stories.  They are filled with hope.  For us, for our loved ones....hope that all is never lost, hope that Jesus can restore even the most desperate of lives.

Many times, I feel hopeless.  Hopeless to change, hopeless to lose the sinfulness that ensnares me...yet in this visit the Lord told me different.  He told me with Him all things are possible.  I pray that you receive the same message through this post. 

Father, thank You that none of us are beyond hope, beyond Your reach.  Thank You for Your Word which tells us this.  Lord, for any of us that need restoration, for those we love, I lift them up, us up.  Renew our lives to reflect Your glory, to live in peace and to share the compassion You give us.  What a beautiful picture of Your love each of these stories are.  Help us to be ever mindful of Your love.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Read through some of these accounts listed above.  Find Your own favorite Jesus stories to meditate on.