Heart and Life Transformation

In the powerful, fictitious “backstory” of Nicodemus and Lilith (Mary of Magdala), Nicodemus is called upon to go to the troubled, demon-possessed Lilith to bring her healing and deliverance. But during this encounter, Nicodemus realizes that his religious knowledge is no match for whatever is troubling Lilith. Ultimately, Nicodemus flees from Lilith in fear, frustration, and embarrassment. He is not able to help her. Her situation is beyond him.

It ends up that Lilith encounters Jesus. It is such a powerful scene. Jesus calls her by her name, “Mary,” and He heals and delivers her, although Mary doesn’t yet know who He is.

Nicodemus hears that someone has seen Lilith and that she seems healed and whole. He can’t believe it. He seeks her out and asks her what happened. Mary tells Nicodemus that she met someone who delivered her from her darkness and her torment. Nicodemus asks her who it was, and she says, “I don’t know His name.”

Nicodemus was one of the most respected and educated leaders of Israel at that time. He knew the Scriptures, the traditions, and the laws, yet he encountered something that he couldn’t understand, much less handle. Lilith was lost in darkness and oppression, but she encountered Jesus. Her heart, mind, and life were transformed by the encounter!

This past Wednesday, I had a wonderful encounter.

About three years ago, Chris Gordy and I went to a Wednesday evening worship and prayer meeting at New Beginnings Baptist Church in Longview, TX. We sat on about the third row down to the left of the platform. There was a young couple sitting on the front row, and they had a young baby with them. They were in constant motion during the whole service. Some of their motion was centered around the baby, but it also had the agitated nature of addiction. If you have been around addicts, I would guess that you know what I mean. It bothered me that I was putting that label on them, but it sure seemed to fit.

Later in the service, the pastor, Todd Konitz, said that if you are struggling with addiction, he would invite you to come forward for prayer and healing. The young man immediately went forward. The young woman was not in the sanctuary at that moment. There was prayer for healing and deliverance.

After that, the young man returned to his seat. Then, a few moments later, Pastor Todd Konitz said that if you felt led to go pray for someone, you should follow that leading and go pray for them.

Chris and I looked at each other, and we knew we were both thinking the same thing. The young woman was now back beside her husband with the baby in tow, so Chris and I went to them and asked them if we could pray for them. They welcomed the prayer, and it was such a blessing. We got their names and the name of the baby boy. I know I continued to pray for them for a couple of weeks, but they soon drifted out of my focused prayer times.

This past Wednesday, I was able to once again attend the Wednesday evening worship and prayer service at New Beginnings. I sat about eight rows back in the center section, and as I looked toward the platform, I saw the young couple from a few years ago.

The young woman was holding a tiny baby.

There was a peace and a calm over them. It was obvious that their lives had been transformed! Jesus had transformed their hearts, their minds, and their lives, and it was such a powerful and beautiful sight to behold.

I was able to greet them and bless them.

As I greeted them, I thought about Nicodemus as he encountered the new, healed, redeemed, and restored Mary Magdalene. There is such wonder in seeing how God can heal, redeem, and restore.

During the worship portion of the service, we sang a worship song that I had never heard before. I have since researched it and learned that the name of the song is “The Blood” by David Funk.

Here are the lyrics to the first portion of the song:

1 Verse:
Everything changed, it’s getting harder to recognize
The person I was before I encountered Christ
I don’t walk like I used to
I don’t talk like I used to
I’ve been washed from the inside
I’ve been washed from the inside out

Chorus:
Hallelujah, hallelujah
I know it was the blood
Could have only been the blood

The first portion of the song speaks about how everything changed after encountering Christ and concludes with the powerful declaration that it could have only been the blood.

It is powerful to sing these words, but then it is even more powerful when the Lord allows you to see a walking, living example of it!!! I know it was the blood!

Glory to God!