Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Acts 5:16, ” Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. ” 

Background

In the movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory , five golden ticket holders from around the world, each with one guest, win an exclusive tour of the Wonka chocolate factory. During their adventure through the shrouded halls of this magical world, several of the guests are removed from the excursion, until only four remain. This fortunate foursome gets to take a short ride on the Wonkamobile, which is a one-of-a-kind vehicle that putters along at less than the pace of an ordinary pedestrian. The lack of speed, however, is not a shortcoming in the design. For Wonka has built this car to be powered completely by carbonated drinks. One unfortunate by-product, though, is that the car expels an enormous amount of foam, bubbles, and sticky white goo all over its passengers. In a matter of moments, the car and its riders are completely covered, white and frothy from head to toe. But just as one mom hollers about sending Wonka a cleaning bill, the car drives through another Wonka invention that he calls ” hsaw aknow, ” which of course is ” wonka wash ” spelled backwards. In seconds, the car and its travelers emerge as pristine as when the trip began, as if they had been squeezed through the rollers of an old washboard mechanism. 

Application

That cleansing is the image that comes to mind when I read of the multitudes of sick and tormented coming to Jerusalem to be healed by the apostles. They all arrive like the Wonkamobile did, filthy and in need of a cleaning. But as they pass through and experience God’s power through the apostles, they emerge clean and whole, just as God made them so many years before. God still heals and cleanses, more completely than any ” hsaw aknow ” ever could. But sometimes His is not so immediate. Some ships He turns more gradually, choosing to work precisely on a particular area before moving on to another. But He still works, and is working. We, unfortunately, resist His efforts, while the Wonkamobile unreservedly relinquished its gunk. It’s time for you to let go of the goo. 

Charge

As we seek Him today, take a step of faith necessary for God to cleanse and restore you. Uncross your arms as you wait on His timing.