A Hand Along the Journey: Poems for the King from One Pilgrim to Another

  When they had crossed over, they came   to the land of Gennesaret.   And when the men of that place recognized Him [Jesus],  they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick,   and begged Him that they might only   touch the hem of His garment. And   as many as touched   it   were made perfectly well. (Matt. 14:34-36)   It didn’t matter the sickness they had; There wasn’t any disease too bad That couldn’t be cured by coming to Him, And touching only His garment’s hem.   Desperate faith made them dare to beseech The God Who’d put Himself in their reach. And all who touched were made perfectly whole – “Saved through”* the plagues of body and soul.   “Touch the hem!” their story compels, Joining the echo of all the true tales Of lives changed – the whisper of centuries – “Look up in faith to know Jesus!”   My soul, make this practice your reflex of faith: G...

     In Matthew 11:25-26, Jesus prays the following: “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. ”      A few years ago, my mother-in-law pointed out how that second sentence highlights Jesus’ submission to whatever the Father desired. She mentioned that she had once heard someone say that verse 26 is an appropriate response when we encounter challenges that we would rather bypass. From time to time I remember that thought.      “Even so” is a strong affirmative “yes.” Luke 10:21 records the same prayer, adding that Jesus rejoiced as He prayed. That characteristic submission to the Father shines through His other recorded prayers also, perhaps the most notable example being Gethsemane’s “nevertheless” prayer, when sorrow underscored His words. So, as imitators of Christ, from joy t...