The Crutch

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The Crutch

And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.

I’m Sorry But Is That a Crutch You Are Clinging To?……

Tommy was a young lad when the accident occurred resulting in his foot being mangled and disfigured. Prior to the accident Tommy was a fearless runner. And a climber. Tommy loved to climb high up trees and take long walks up the trails of the nearby mountain. But the accident, a freakish mishap had brought an immediate halt to that type of activity. Tommy would need surgery to repair his foot and the initial prognosis was not encouraging. Tommy might walk with a limp the rest of his life.

He met with an orthopedic surgeon named Dr. Jesse who assured him that he could “make his foot like new again”. Dr. Jesse was an ageless man with straight white hair who spoke so matter-of-factly. His voice was soft and gentle and he laughed quite often. Tommy didn’t know if he was laughing at him or just amused at some of the quips he kept feeding him. Either way he quickly came to respect and trust Dr. Jesse who preferred, no, insisted that Tommy call him “The Healer”. That sounded more like the stage name of a professional wrestler but Tommy complied with the request.

Shortly after the surgery Tommy began a regimented therapy program. Optimistic and encouraged by “The Healer’s” words and surgical skill he started the task of almost learning to walk again. Dr. Jesse met him one day and gave him a handmade crutch carved from the wood of a walnut tree. “The Healer” along with being a fine surgeon was also a craftsman in his spare time. He had fashioned many crutches and canes through the years each uniquely fitted to the patient receiving his care.

Dr. Jesse gave Tommy his crutch and told him it would aid in his recovery. He also told him that the surgery was a complete success and that it would only be a matter of time before Tommy could resume his adventures of climbing. Tommy leaned on his crutch and slowly put some weight on his foot, but felt a tinge of pain and quickly lifted his foot up. For now he decided not to apply his full weight and continue his therapy.

Months passed and Tommy’s therapy came to an end. Still unsure of his ability to apply his full weight to his foot he continued to rely heavily on the crutch. Friends became so accustomed to seeing Tommy with his crutch that soon they used “Crutch” as his nickname. Tommy accepted his new title with sheepish grace.

Months turned into years and by now Tommy had grown several inches taller. With his foot completely healed he still favored the crutch. It gave him support was his usual response to those inquiring about it. Tommy felt almost helpless without his crutch. But to continue using it because he had grown taller he had to keep stooping lower. Tommy was getting taller but the crutch wasn’t growing.

His friends and family noticed that he had become dejected and even a bit broody over time. His once ever present smile turned into a constant frown. When someone asked how he was feeling he usually complained about his back hurting or the blisters under his arm from the crutch rubbing against him. He didn’t hold back. He made sure they knew his foot and back ached at times and it was difficult to tie his shoes. Thank God he had his trusty old crutch though!

By now Tommy was middle aged, full of pessimism and resentment. He hardly ever laughed but wasted no time complaining about the callous under his arm that had formed from years of leaning on the walnut crutch. And he never let others forget that he had a limp and he had a crutch.

One day as he was limping his way to the market he met a familiar face. It was Dr. Jesse! Dr. Jesse noticed Tommy too or rather, he noticed the walnut crutch. “My, my, is that a crutch you are clinging to?” asked the good doctor. Remembering just how amusing Dr. Jesse could be Tommy replied, “Sure is doc. I mean Healer! Thanks to you I have learned to walk with this crutch and it has carried me all these years.”

Dr. Jesse with a look of dismay softly responded, “Oh, Tommy. Are you not aware what’s become of you? When you needed a crutch I fashioned one just for you. I knew at the time that you needed something to support you and help you learn to walk again. And so I made the crutch. I knew that eventually you would grow taller and realize that it was too short for you and no longer needed. I wanted you to recognize that you could walk on your own and you would freely give up the crutch. But sadly you haven’t. Instead, you have let the crutch own you. It has consumed you and even made you to walk bent over and feel pain you didn’t ever have to feel. Without standing tall and looking to the horizon, you have spent so much time looking down when you walk. Tommy, you have to let go of that crutch.”

Well, Tommy just stared in bewilderment at The Healer in utter silence. Had he really clung to his crutch all this time? Had he really missed seeing so many horizons because he was focusing on the bumpy road in front of his feet? Suddenly Tommy was aware that it had been years since he had climbed a tree or trekked up the mountain path.

“Oh, Dr. Jesse what can I do?”

“Tommy, put down your crutch and start to walk.”

He paused and then tossed aside his walnut crutch. He tossed aside the one thing that had been keeping him from walking tall the past several years. Tommy took his first step and felt a tinge of pain in his foot. He stepped again. And again. And then again. Confidently he continued to walk taking small steps then sooner long strides!

“All those years and I just couldn’t let go” he thought. “What a waste of time.”

Now it’s your turn friend. What have you been healed from? What crutch are you clinging to? Are you not aware that you have been made whole and no longer need temporary support?

Our Savior made the ultimate choice. He chose the grandest crutch for all of us, the wood of the cross. He clung to it until his final breath and thus assured you and me that we can lean on him. It is all we will ever need. Let Jesus be your crutch!

We get so used to our earthly crutches. We even get used to pain and complaining. How will you respond when you meet The Healer and he asks, “I’m sorry, but is that a crutch you are clinging to?”

Peace

2011

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