What we Think we Need: One Year Bible reading for January 12

Today we read from the One Year Bible in the following passages:

Genesis 26:17-27:46
Matthew 9:1-17
Psalm 10:16-18
Proverbs 3:9-10

The verse from Matthew is what jumps out at me. A man comes to Jesus and wants to be healed. He is paralyzed, lying on a mat. He thinks his greatest need is to be healed of his paralysis. And I'm not belittling that desire. If I was paralyzed, I would want that too, probably above all else. 

Fortunately Jesus doesn't just give us what we ask for. In this case, He DOES give the man what he's asking for. But in the big picture, we all know this man is going to die in a few decades and whether he was able to walk during those years won't matter so much to the world. But what Jesus does is He gives him what he really needs and doesn't know to ask for. He forgives his sins. He makes him whole spiritually. He gives him the opportunity to go to heaven. That's what we all really need above all else, and are usually too stupid to ask for.

When you come to Jesus with your needs, keep this story in mind. Usually we ask Him for things like money (to pay our bills) and health (because we're suffering or someone we love is suffering). But that money will go away again (hopefully with our bills being paid) and those sick people will eventually die (including us!) So what we really need is what Jesus gave the man in the story - forgiveness of our sins, and eternal life. Everything else is transitory.

God, thanks for reminding us what is really important. And for giving us what we need instead of just what we ask for.