How Far Will We Go?
How far are we willing to go? (Mark 2:4)
Some men have a friend that is completely paralyzed. They hear that Jesus is in town so they carry their friend to where Jesus is. When they get there they are faced with an obstacle. The place where Jesus is teaching is so full there is no way for the men to get their friend to Him. What are they going to do? Are they going to go back home and say they lost their opportunity? No! They climb onto the roof and dig a hole and lower their paralyzed friend down to Jesus. You see, for them there were no options. Jesus was the only option. So they found a way.
The Christian church for centuries has been depicted as a ship on the seas. I am thinking that most 21st century Christians see that ship as a cruise liner instead of a coast guard rescue ship. God did not leave us on this earth that we might cruise around in luxury and enjoy the sites. He left us on the earth so that we might be His witnesses wherever we are. We should rightfully see ourselves in a coast guard rescue ship. There are people dying, and the only option is Jesus.
So, how far will we go? Are we willing to go beyond our comfort zone to bring the broken and battered into the loving presence of Jesus? Are we willing to get dirty and dig through roofs if necessary so that the sick might get to the Great Physician?
It is my prayer today that each of us is challenged to see what our calling here is. I pray that each of us wipes our eyes and looks once again to see that we are on a rescue ship and not a cruise liner. May each of us be willing to go as far as necessary to bring someone into the presence of Jesus.
Peace!
Tom
Some men have a friend that is completely paralyzed. They hear that Jesus is in town so they carry their friend to where Jesus is. When they get there they are faced with an obstacle. The place where Jesus is teaching is so full there is no way for the men to get their friend to Him. What are they going to do? Are they going to go back home and say they lost their opportunity? No! They climb onto the roof and dig a hole and lower their paralyzed friend down to Jesus. You see, for them there were no options. Jesus was the only option. So they found a way.
The Christian church for centuries has been depicted as a ship on the seas. I am thinking that most 21st century Christians see that ship as a cruise liner instead of a coast guard rescue ship. God did not leave us on this earth that we might cruise around in luxury and enjoy the sites. He left us on the earth so that we might be His witnesses wherever we are. We should rightfully see ourselves in a coast guard rescue ship. There are people dying, and the only option is Jesus.
So, how far will we go? Are we willing to go beyond our comfort zone to bring the broken and battered into the loving presence of Jesus? Are we willing to get dirty and dig through roofs if necessary so that the sick might get to the Great Physician?
It is my prayer today that each of us is challenged to see what our calling here is. I pray that each of us wipes our eyes and looks once again to see that we are on a rescue ship and not a cruise liner. May each of us be willing to go as far as necessary to bring someone into the presence of Jesus.
Peace!
Tom
