Good morning and happy chilly Saturday.
Last Saturday, Michelle and I went to see the WWI museum with Becca and Jon. If you haven’t been there lately, it is quite incredible. It is also a somber reminder of the depravity of mankind and of how quickly issues can spiral out of control into a world-wide conflict. If you keep up with world events it seems inevitable that history jut may repeat itself. Of course there will be wars and rumors of war….But that is just the beginning of things. Make it a practice to pray for leaders around the world.
While we were there, we took the trip to the top of the tower. It involves taking an elevator ride most of the way and then ascending 42 steps to the top. The view from there is actually pretty cool and was worth the extra $ 3. When you are done with the panoramic sightseeing, you are instructed to descend the steps and wait for the elevator as it makes round trips shuttling people. While we were waiting, we heard the vintage elevator stop and open the doors. We could then hear the operator ask some people if they were going down. Of course, we thought that was a rather obvious question. I am not sure why else you would be standing in line cramped with other people in front of the loading area. There was literally nothing else you could do in that space. But, sometimes in life, it takes something to prompt action.
In John 5, there was a man that had been paralyzed for a long, long time. In fact, the Bible says it was 38 years. Friends and/or family would take him and place him by the pool at Bethesda. From time to time, the waters would be stirred and the first one to get in would be healed. Since this man was at a decided disadvantage, he was never able to get into the water first. Jesus came along and asked him what seems to be an obvious question. “Do you want to get well?” Jesus asked. At first, when you read that you may think the answer to that seems a bit obvious. After all, the man waited day after day but was never healed.
7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” 8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. However, that is not the end of the story. Look what the Bible says in verse 14. 14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”
In Matthew 20, we read of something similar. 29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 33 “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” 34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
At first, it would seem obvious that two blind guys would want to be able to see. However, there is always more to the story. Notice that they were calling Him “Lord” and “Son of David.” Furthermore, they were crying out for mercy. These two blind guys could “see” more about Jesus than many of the Jewish people that seemed oblivious to Jesus’ true identity. My favorite part of the story is that as soon as they could see they began to follow Jesus. Not only should that be true with physical sight but absolutely in a spiritual sense. When a lost person is able to “see” their need for a Savior and they trust in Christ, the response should also be to follow Him immediately.
From our vantage point in line at the elevator, our view was obstructed by the curve in the stairs so we couldn’t see what actually took place when the man seemed to ask the obvious question. More than likely, the people were just standing there and not getting on the elevator. He probably asked them if they were going down to prompt them to action. Whatever, the case, the line did begin to move after that.
I close with the same question Jesus asked Simon Peter. Jesus asked, “Do you love Me?” Peter responded by saying, “Lord, you know all things.” Of course, that is true. However, Jesus asked the question so that Peter would truly consider his answer. We may initially think that our answer to the question would be quite obvious. However, it is worth asking ourselves that question weekly, if not daily. It may just prompt you to further action.
May God bless you in all ways!
Pastor Larry
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