In 1971, Malcolm Fraser, the former Prime Minister of Australia (1975-83), famously said, “Life wasn’t meant to be easy.” That phrase continues to be echoed to those passing through hard times. However, that sentiment is not true–life was indeed meant to be easy… easier than we can imagine!
 
Because of our sin-nature in our sin-affected world, at times life on earth is tough as nails and unbearable, and our impulse is to escape to a place of peace, hope, and contentment.
 
Excessive amounts of alcohol, prohibited substances and thoughts of suicide are common vehicles that offer sufferers transportation out of unbearable pain and hopelessness.
 
The desire to escape such a life is not exclusive to those who suffer from despair. From early childhood, parents introduce their children to the world of make-believe. Why? Every person is open to dreaming of a better place to live. With trumpets sounding, it is now time to welcome onto centre stage Walt Disney Productions.  
 
Disney offers a smorgasbord of escape vehicles that magically transport willing dreamers to new worlds of fantasy: Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty are some of their timeless classics. At an affordable price, through the brilliance of modern cinematography and the big screen, any person can escape the harsh ‘here and now’ to any one of many exciting, wondrous, make-believe destinations.
 
With imaginations activated, please journey with me on a short adventure to Fantasyland. Walt Disney’s “Aladdin” is a ‘feel good’ story of a poor, middle-eastern young man who is dissatisfied with his life. He dreams of a life where he is travelling the word on a magic carpet with the beautiful Princess he can see through a window of his humble home.
 
One day through unexpected events, Aladdin, with a special lamp, encounters a Genie who possesses supernatural power to transform his dream into reality! In an instant, Aladdin’s sad life is miraculously transformed into a life of adventure, wonder, and excitement. For the first time in his life, Aladdin is living the fullness of his dream. We can join with Aladdin and his Princess… right now. There’s enough room on the magic carpet for you and for me! 
Click here:  Aladdin – A Whole New World [High Quality] – YouTube

Friends, dreamers like me have an insatiable appetite for such classics as Aladdin.

Stepping back into reality, the Bible records a story of a man who was more desperate than Aladdin to escape the harsh, painful reality of his life. Paralysed at birth, he was not able to relieve himself without relying on others. He could not work. Imprisoned to his mat, he was a constant drain on family and friends. He could not marry in order to enjoy intimate female companionship; and he would never father children of his own.
                 
For this man, life was a 24/7 living nightmare! There were no Disney escape options on offer for him. Being paralysed was worse than being dead. This was his reality until one day, like Aladdin, he encountered someone who in an instant transformed his life and opened his eyes to an exciting new world he had never imagined. Mark recorded the incident in his gospel account:
 
When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that He was back home. Soon the house where He was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While He was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralysed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralysed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law were sitting there and thought to themselves, “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”
 
Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so He asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts?  Is it easier to say to the paralysed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’?  So, I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralysed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
 
And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” (2:1-12).
 
Friends, when the paralysed man was brought to Jesus, he had hoped for new legs, nothing more; but to everyone’s amazement, in addition to new legs, he received the gift of eternal life… a new life, in a new world! 
(Concluding Part II next week.)
 
Bill
(Discipleship resources are available to you on dancing-on-water.com)