Yes, you and I try to be faithful to the Lord.
And we often are.
But there are those random moments when our definition of “faithful” takes a sad, sour turn.
At least in God’s sight.
We become so wrapped up in exalting Jesus’ majestic nature that we slip into ignoring His merciful nature.
Let me cite a passage in today’s One-Year Bible reading that illustrates this trap.
“As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening.
“They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
“Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him.” (Luke 18:35-39)
Wow.
The “new kingdom is coming” crowd was so caught up in the hype of the Messiah heading to Jerusalem that they completely forgot or ignored part of why Jesus came to earth — “to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” (Isaiah 42:7).
They were focused on their agenda of wanting to again be the top nation in the world rather than on Christ’s agenda of helping hurting people get on top of their life problems.
It’s a sad, pathetic picture, actually, this scene of screaming disciples shouting down a blind man who wants Christ’s healing touch.
I’m glad that Jesus didn’t let the crowd determine His intercessory agenda.
I’m glad for the man named Bartimaeus.
I’m sad, though, for those who yelled at Bartimaeus to shut up.
This was a terrible day for how their view of faith was portrayed.
The question for us is this — are there people in our lives wanting Christ’s intercessory help but we’re too caught up in focusing on making our church bigger when we should be focusing on making our church better?
Are we so wrapped up in awesome worship that we fail to worship God with acts of mercy toward those outside the church? Or perhaps even some who have been visiting our churches?
Is it possible that, as the old country gospel song says, we’re so heavenly focused that we’re no earthly good?
I pray that you savor the moments of great worship and that you enjoy the bliss of sweet fellowship with church friends.
But please don’t let the love of comfort distract you from doing all you can to bring comfort to those overtly or subtly crying out for help and hope.
After all, we ARE to be ambassadors for Christ.
As always, I love you
Martin
Martin,
Thank you for an encouraging word today. And everyday!
When one has been “in the church” a long time, we can tend toward being “religiously minded.” I always need to be reminded to reach to the needy and can always do more…to be like-minded with Jesus. I’d also like to believe those Jews were not just looking for a leader to take them back to glory days, but to deliver them from the oppressors which I think could be terrible. I can’t imagine a life like that. I guess all of our eyes need to opened like Bartimaeus. Open to see like Jesus sees.