John and I were catching up on Season 3 of “The Chosen”. There was a scene so profound it took my breath. The scene is with one of the disciples-Little James. Little James has a limp. And he approaches Jesus to ask him how he would have power to heal when Jesus had not healed him-yet. It’s such a picture of why some don’t get the answer they desire.
Is it healing you didn’t get? Is it a different answer to the greatest petition you made as a parent to have your child physically back and God takes him Home instead? That’s what this conversation is about with Jesus and Little James. I really paid attention when the conversation was with James! I’m going to share this scene. It. Is. So. Good!
Jesus and Little James
“Little James stumbles and pauses as he asks Jesus his most important question:
“You’re sending us out with the ability to heal the sick and lame…so you’re telling me that I have the ability to heal…? I just find that difficult to imagine, with my condition…which you haven’t healed.”
Little James, in case the audience is not aware (and I don’t blame them because I had no idea until the writers had Thomas point it out in Season 2, Episode 3), has a limp.
(In real life, the actor who portrays Little James, Jordan Walker Ross, actually does have cerebral palsy, which the writers decided to incorporate into the script in this way, as you shall soon see…)
“Do you want to be healed?” Jesus asks.
“Y-yes, of course, if that’s possible,” Little James says.
“I think you’ve seen enough to know that that’s possible,” Jesus says.
Little James pauses, processing this. Then: “Why haven’t you?”
“Because I trust you,” Jesus replies.
Jesus explains: While Jesus can heal Little James, as he’s healed many others, and that would be “a good story to tell.” But there are already many who can tell that story.
Little James, however, will have a unique story when he learns to still praise God in spite of his disability, and focus on things that matter more than the body. To demonstrate patience in suffering on Earth because he knows that he will spend eternity with no suffering.
“Not many can understand that,” Jesus says. “How many do you think the father and I trust with this? Not many.”
Little James begins to cry. “But the others are so much more!”
“More what?” Jesus asks gently.
“I don’t know…stronger? Better than this?”
Little James quotes the Psalmist: I know that I am ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ he says. But that doesn’t make it easier to deal with this burden. (See Psalm 139:14)
A burden? Jesus echoes. It’s easier to deal with your slow walking than Simon’s temper, trust me. The Father doesn’t care how he looks or how he walks.
“You are going to do more for me than most people ever dreamed.
“So many people need healing in order to believe in me…that doesn’t apply to you.
“And many are healed or not healed because the Father has a plan for them which…may be a mystery. We remember what Job said:
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away…
Little James joins Jesus as the two finish the verse:
Blessed be the name of the Lord. (See: Job 1:21)
Jesus tells Little James:
“When you find true strength because of your weakness, and when you do great things in spite of this, the impact will last for generations. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” James says through his tears. “Thank you, Master.”
“And James, remember. You will be healed,” Jesus says. “It’s only a matter of time.”
Trusting God no matter what comes our way especially in the answers that are vastly different from our petition-that is when people will sit up and take notice. Can I praise God when the answer is ‘no’?