"I Know that my Redeemer
Lives" (Job 19:25)
"When Jesus heard
this, he replied, "Do not fear.
Only believe,
and she will be saved "(Lk 8:50)
Thankappan's family was
supported by the meagre income of his wife Radhamani working in a cashewnut
factory. Thankappan, a one-time labourer in a construction company, was
suddenly paralysed and bed- ridden by a train injury. Jesus came across
the sick man lying helpless for thirty- eight years on the portico of Bethzatha
and asked him, "Do you want to be made well?" The sick man answered him,
"Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up;
and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me" (Jn
5:6,7). Thankappan must have had similar sentiments. When thousands were
rushing to conventions and getting healed in the name of Jesus, here was
he unable to stir from his bed.
When he heard that the Potta
team, under the leadership of Augustine Mundackatt, was going to conduct
a Bible Convention at Adoor, he managed to get some people to help him
to the venue. He listened to the Word of God and began praying and praising
Jesus. When the day’s services came to a close, he was usually taken along
with other bed - ridden patients, to the school building. He spent the
whole night weeping and praying to Jesus. Like Jacob of old he cried, "I
will not let you go, unless you bless me" (Gen 32:26).The Lord heard
his prayer.Saw his tears. Answered him through the word "Any one who
comes to me I will never drive away "(Jn 6:37). " See, I am the Lord, the
God of all flesh; is anything too hard for me ?" (Jer 32:27). These
messages flowing from the lips of the preacher gave solace and comfort
to Thankappan’s arid mind and cut channels of hope in his heart. The preachers,
before going to the convention grounds, prayed over Thankappan. God's mercy
coursed through Thankappan’s sinews and the muscles of his body. The power
of Christ went out of him into Thankappan. The paralysed man rose from
his bed, walked through the school building and clapping his hands, entered
the convention grounds. The on-lookers were aghast with wonder and joy.
Praise rose to the heavens . Glory be to Jesus. Thank you Jesus !
"........after
my skin has been thus destroyed,
then in my flesh
I shall
see God"(Job 19:26).
M Thankappan,
Kalluvettavela
House, Kottarakara
-Vachanolsavam
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