Reflection: Bent, Broken Body
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3, NIV
My dad had a workshop full of the bent and broken. His workbench was piled with toasters, hairdryers, crockery and all-sorts. Passersby-we, saw piles of brokenness. Master-fixer-he knew each item as something worthy of attention. With a little screw or glue, each was something renewed.
Synagogues are buzzing with the pious and the riffraff. Busiest day of the week—the Sabbath. Curious crowds gather, attentive to the teacher from Nazareth. Among the press they might half register a body-bent. Might side-step the ‘in-valid’. Doctor Luke, disciple and our storyteller, tender-sees her. He knows her ‘condition’. But Master Jesus sees and knows her bent-body-whole. He calls not just her, but calls out what she’s in the making of. He touches, and from the inside out, regenerates her. Not completely…because that’s yet to come. But in heaven’s workshop he sets her straight and tall—a masterpiece radiating the master’s praise. Named and unashamed.
Unique by God’s design, each of us has body-fragile, deeply flawed.
Some more bent and broken, but no less marvellously made.
Some he’s healed…but none yet whole.
Our bodies wracked and groaning, glimmer with glory.
Earth is heaven’s workshop*, after all.
Prayer:
We long for your new kingdom, Jesus. Heal us body, soul and spirit through your death and resurrection. Renew creation and redeem your world for your eternal praise and worship.
*Peter Kreeft