In Israel, there’s no city more important than Jerusalem. And that’s where I ended up with Jesus, and His closest followers. It was during one of the Jewish feasts.
I’m really more of a country dog; my home town of Cana is big enough for me. But the bustling city of Jerusalem is always a treat–except during the festival of flat bread. For seven days, all people eat are these stale cracker looking things. I’ve tried them, and Buck has one word for the experience: yuck!
Thankfully, the daily walks with Jesus were always an adventure. One time, we went down by the Sheep Gate to this healing pool. There were lots of sick people there, waiting to be healed—when the water got stirred up.
Anyway, there was this guy lying there who could barely take care of himself. I heard someone tell Jesus he had been like this for 38 years.
Jesus walked up to the man, knelt beside him, and said, “Do you want to get well?”
What?!
Now, this question made Ole Buck scratch behind his ear. (I’d scratch my head–like a human–but it’s hard for a dog to do). A sick guy is lying by a healing pool, and Jesus asks him if he wants to get better?
But then I remembered: not every stray truly wants help. I know homeless dogs who chase children and growl at people who feed them. They also fight with other dogs, while at the same time saying they want to be part of a pack. Buck can only count to four (my number of paws), but this doesn’t add up.
Folks, I’ve learned from following Jesus that nothing and nobody is beyond His healing power, but you have to really want it. The man at the pool did. Jesus told him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” And the man stood, like he just got up from a nap, and walked off carrying his mat!
I’ve lost count of how many times Jesus healed people like this; it’s more than four. 🐾🐾︖
And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.
Psalm 50:15 (NIV)
Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the kingdom.
Charles Hadden Spurgeon
Read about Buck’s other adventures with Jesus here:
Paws & Reflect: Meeting Jesus for the First Time
Paws & Reflect (2):The Storm on the Water
Paws & Reflect (3): Jesus Talks to His Dad
Paws & Reflect (4): Finding More Strays
This piece of historical fiction (the dog part, not the miracle) is dedicated to the memory of the real Buck: a chocolate lab who was a gun dog par excellence. That’s him below, sitting in a duck blind watching his owner for the next command. It was his intense gaze (in the photo) that sparked this story. May each of us look to God with the same level of devotion.
Look to the Lord and His strength. Seek His face always.
Psalm 105:4
*The story of Jesus healing the man at the pool is from John 5:1-14.
A special thanks to Beth Alisan, from lessonsfromalab , for helping make this story possible. Here’s a link to her post about Buck: A Moment With Our Creator: Psalm 105:4
Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ prayers and love.
©️2018-2023, davidsdailydose, David Duncan. All Rights Reserved.
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