I want to write about John Swan, a 46 year old man who died on November 20th of this year. His story of faith and how the Lord glorified Himself through John is really awesome to me. No one at Calvary Chapel Miami Beach really knew John before this year. John began coming in July, and the first time he came it was difficult for him because he was using a walker. You see John had a large brain tumor. It made it difficult for him to talk, to think, and his body was succumbing to the ravages and side effects of the tumor. A physical weakness becomes a barrier to us in first impressions, but John couldn’t change that as he sat after the sermon. I probably mistook him for being emotional or convicted as I approached and struck up a conversation. We turned our focus from his tumor to his trust in God: did he have fear? Affirmative. Not really sure and still afraid? Affirmative. Would you like to make certain that Jesus will deliver you and take your hand through your weakness, and forgive your sins? Affirmative. Just then as we began to attempt to pray by faith and familiar words, our worship music made it hard to concentrate and John’s words wouldn’t come out, so we moved to another room. (No small feat with weak legs and a walker.) We sensed a little spiritual barrier and prayed to tear it down. But the words were a monumental struggle by the heart, to the brain, through some blockage by that black, sinister, tumor, and out of the tongue and lips. But are the words so important? To be frustrated by the body when the heart is so ripe and eager? Oh, thanks be to God who gives faith as it’s needed! …patiently, and trusting that the Spirit would help in response to our faith, the words came that rang out: “I BELIEVE! I BELIEVE!!! I believe.” A great weight was lifted from the room, from John, Alex, and me, and a shine came over John - a happiness and peace. It was done and God got the victory for him.

Now, John’s condition worsened, but God glorified Christ through John. Every Sunday there was John with friends, Christian and not, in tow behind his wheelchair. And now the most amazing thing, and why you must glorify and praise Christ for John. One day, for more than a day, our elevator broke down. I only heard afterwards that John’s friends carried him in the chair up our four flights of stairs. Just like the story of the paralytic in Mark chapter 2 where the friends of that man dug a hole in the roof of the house to let him down to the Lord, John allowed Christ to be glorified in his body through the indignity of having to be carried. God’s timing is so beautiful! Of all the times for the elevator to break down, you see, it had to be then! John could’ve said: “No.” But he said OK, and now he is lifted up into the presence of the one he trusted, carried by angels! All I can say is “Hallelujah!”

It’s a story that needs to be told for it’s significance: the glorification of Christ, who is faithful. You see, we are that paralytic, we will need to be carried, and we cannot transport ourselves. Jesus saw the faith of his friends, and rewarded the man who couldn’t move as he allowed himself to glorify God in the weakness of his body. I found out that John rode his bicycle all the way to San Diego once, but I believe that in heaven we’ll appreciate the day he was carried into church more than any feat of strength. Some people say that religion is a crutch, but not for the Christian - Jesus is our stretcher (or our wheelchair!) Hope you are glad to know about John.