Relief or Release
Title:Relief OR Release
Theme:Clarity, Focus, Understanding,
Scripture:Mt 20:32 - Jesus stopped and called them." What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.
Observation:These two blind guys had been crying out to Jesus to have mercy on them and help them as he was walking by. Jesus stops and engages them but he does not just assume what they are seeking of him. These guys had many needs going on in their lives, food, shelter, love, respect, work,
acceptance. All of these could be solved by being able to see, however Jesus did not assume the obvious. Sometimes people only want relief from the symptoms and don't want to deal with the real underlying issue.
Application:Sometimes people make a lot of noise about wanting mercy and help but all they really want is a handout and some temporary relief from the circumstances. Sometimes they don't want to deal with the root cause of the issue. In fact, if they live with it long enough they may even befriend the issue and it becomes part of their reason for existence.
Once we live with something long enough it becomes part of our identity, something that makes us different in this world. We must ask the same
question Jesus did to establish first and foremost what the person is desiring. Do they just want temporary relief or are they after permanent release? We cannot assume anything. Just because someone is making a lot of noise and crying out for help from their circumstances it may not mean that they want the pain associated with God's intervention of change in their life. These guys have just begged all their life, nobody has had any expectation on them to do anything. As kids they were not expected to clean up after themselves, as young adults they have never had to work and contribute to the well being and life of the family.
Once healed they will be expected to become contributors to society like everyone else. The pressure to carry some of the load and fit in
with everyone else kicks in. Up until now they have not had to do any of that. Hence Jesus asked what do you want me to do for you?
Prayer:Father help me to always asks the right question to establish what kind of help the person making all the noise is desiring. Help me to never
assume anything and always help me to seek you for release in areas of my own life and not just settle for momentary temporary relief.
Created about 1 year ago
