Jesus The Crucified God Series

Last year another young mother went to a healing seminar, was prayed for with the laying on of hands, fell to the floor under the power of the Holy Spirit and then spoke in tongues. At the time she was amazed, saying in a daze: “This does not happen to Lutherans.” Healing came into her life and for the next few days she could not stop smiling. She was so full of joy that her colleagues at work asked her: “Did you get married or something?” Yet, this experience did not break through everything and today she is no longer coming to worship. How many times is a miracle not enough? What does God have to do that it is enough for you and me? We realize: “He is God and I’m not. He’s in charge – not me.”

Still another testimony. Two years ago my friend Pastor Peter Steicke went on a mission trip to Uganda – a whole group of Lutherans from the church in Paravisata, SA. At the end of one service – after three hours – the team began to pray for the congregation. Peter was tired but he prayed for an older man who was completely blind. The president of the Lutheran church in Uganda served as his interpreter. He prayed for the blind man three times and after the third time the blind man opened his eyes and – Peter says that he will never forget the look on the man’s face – to his utter amazement – the old man had perfect vision. A miracle had happened – the greatest healing miracle in our denomination so far (as far as I know). A few months later the president of the Lutheran church in Uganda met our General Church President in another African country. He told him about the miracle and thanked him for Pastor Peter Steicke. Yet, the miracle made no impression. To this day the story of the miracle is unknown or suppressed – no invitation to share the testimony at any pastors’ conference, no reporting among the leadership (a few weeks ago I talked to a member of the General Church Council who had not heard of the miracle even though the Council meets in Adelaide where Peter is), no write-up in any magazine or newsletter. Why? Wouldn’t you shout the healing of a blind man from the rooftops? “He was blind but now he sees. Praise be to Jesus Christ.” Why does this not happen? Because Pastor Peter Steicke has not been popular among the established church – talking too much about the Holy Spirit and change. Only we (all of us) don’t want to change. Our pride is making us dig in, so that not even a miracle is going to get us out.

This year we have had so many testimonies at Living Grace. A few months ago Lenna shared how God had healed her of emphysema. This happened in our midst. Her lunges were in bad condition but now they are restored and she is no longer taking any drugs. Then, Helen was scheduled for a shoulder operation. She was on a waiting list but the procedure was urgent because the condition was worsening and at some stage any operation would come too late. The pain did not let her sleep at night. But in one of our services – during the singing – God healed her. Vicki told us how God prompted her to help a pregnant woman whose car had stalled. No other driver stopped to help them and when Vicki attempted to push the woman’s car on her own – up the hill and round a corner – the car was moving without any effort on her part. An angel did the pushing for her. An absolute miracle. We have had many testimonies like these but – let’s be honest – have they made an impression? Have they changed us? Have they made us more faithful? Have they led us to redouble our efforts in making Jesus number one in our lives – only living for him?