A Revolution

This year for Mother's Day we were back in Des Moines Iowa. 

We went to Lutheran Church of Hope's Johnston/Grimes campus and met some friends there.

They gave me a carnation as I walked in the room and had a really nice video that played, showing

children who were blindfolded and recognized their mom in a line up by using their other senses. It was very touching. They had a photo shoot set up for families to get their picture taken

after the service which was wonderful. It was a nice start to the day and honestly I expected some

sort of special Mother's Day message, it was not a special Mother's Day message, per say. 

It was however, the most meaningful and touching Mother's Day message to me!

The pastor is doing a series called, "Join the REVOLUTION" and was taking passages 

from Mark 5 and talking about the power of touch. Walking us through how Jesus went into a town and raised a little girl (from what we are to assume was death, if not, pretty darn close too it) back to life, and healed a women who had been bleeding for over a decade just because she touched his garment. There were so many people that came to see Jesus that day and hoped for their own healing, yet were not.  We hear stories of miracles in bible often and they never cease to amaze and show us the power of God.

As he was finishing up his sermon, nothing 'new' had really stood out to me, yet. He mentioned again all the other people that were waiting to just touch Jesus's garment, knowing that their faith in that alone could heal them. Pastor said, "Did they get in the wrong line. Jesus left so many in that town who still needed healing.
How does he decide who gets healed and who doesn't." 

It was a question that of course peaked me interest as I thought about Liam, and the ever present question of "why."  The pastor proceeded to tell us about his Mother in-law who went into the hospital last mother's day with severe bleeding and although she is still here, hasn't been able to walk since, and may never again. I think that story gave me 'some' encouragement as there are times I wonder if my faith wasn't strong enough to save Liam. Or if there had just been a pastor with us I am sure things would have turned out differently.
You know in your heart that isn't true, but you can't help but think it.

Then the pastor pointed out a very important verse that normally gets overlooked. Mark 5:43 "He (meaning Jesus) gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this...."

Why would Jesus do that? Why would Jesus not want those healed to tell people about it? 

Because Jesus was starting a revolution and he didn't want people to be distracted by the wrong revolution. It's more permanent that an earthly healing, it goes so much deeper than that, it's more eternal than that. It's more than just a "What do you need this side of heaven?" It's more than a one man ER unit. Those that Jesus healed and raised from the dead, eventually died. The revolution that Jesus started and continues today is an eternal revolution. Yes, we get glimpses of heaven here on earth, Jesus continues miracles in people's lives, but it's not about that.
It's about eternity breaking in!

Why do some get healed and others don't? 

Jesus isn't bringing a lesser than revolution just to heal us every time we need it this side of heaven and to make our lives perfect in an imperfect and fallen world. He is here to bring his permanent light into the darkness. "This is My revolution", Jesus said. We are joined to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When He died, our sin was put to death. When He rises, we rise with Him.

After the cross and the empty tomb, at the end of the story Jesus says, "Now, go tell everybody." That's the revolution, that is what Jesus wants the world to know. It's a permanent revolution that Jesus has brought to us through the cross. 

I know that Liam's death is more than just a prayer for Jesus to heal your cold, or help you get the job you want. Liam's death is so much bigger and more impactful than that, but so is Jesus and what he did on the cross. 

I desperately want Liam to have been one of the ones that Jesus would have healed on this earth. I will never know why, but what I do know is that God chose Liam, just like God chose me. Liam IS a child of God, I AM a child of God.  Liam isn't any less a part of the revolution than I am because it's not about this earth, it's about eternity. Liam, myself, everyone. We are all part of a revolution, don't be distracted by the earthly miracles.
Get a glimpse of heaven, of glory and hold onto it. 

I have mine!!