Tag Archives: John 10:10

Who’s at Your Gate?

19 Dec

Did you know, there is a story about a very rich man who lived every day in the greatest of luxury? His wardrobe was quite exquisite, and he was known for his great wealth. One day, a beggar, who was covered in sores and longing just for something to eat, had been laid at the entrance gate of the rich man’s home. This beggar was only hoping to eat what fell from the rich man’s table and nothing more. What’s interesting is that the dogs which were in the area cared more for this man than the rich man. For the dogs at least noticed, approached the beggar and licked his sores. The rich man ignored the beggar even though he had the means to care for all his needs, from food to medical care. But the story goes even deeper than just the rich man’s lack of concern for others, it reveals a man who ignored truth, because he was so caught up in his wealth.

As the story goes both the beggar and the rich man eventually died, the beggar to an eternal life of comfort, and the rich man to one of agony. The rich man, who would be tormented in the place of hell forever could see the beggar in a different place than he, a place of eternal comfort. Seeing this, he wanted the beggar to bring him relief, but it was not possible for their eternal destinies had been set. When this realization was evident to the rich man, he requested that the beggar be sent from his place of comfort to his five brothers, to warn them of the place of torment. He thought that if someone from the dead would go to them, they would repent. However, he was told that if his brothers would not listen to truth, they would not be convinced even though someone rose from the grave.

This story really can be life changing for us all. You see, everyone is concerned about life after death. I know that is a chilling statement, but study after study reveals people are concerned about this very topic. The older, if we’re so fortunate, and the closer to death we get, the topic of life after death becomes important. Having this knowledge, the story above reveals that truth takes precedent over all things. Not, money, fame, or earthly comforts. We must listen for the truth! And truth does not kill, steal, or destroy, but gives life, abundant and eternal.

The rich man cared only for himself, not his brothers, or even a crippled, sore covered, hungry man, laid at his very gate. He refused to listen to truth, which ended for him in eternal torment and possibly that of his brothers too, if they followed his example. Truth really does matter, and the rich man came face to face with truth after his death. His story being told is so important for us all. It gives each of us an opportunity to assess our earthly lives, listen to the truth, and care for others.

This may lead us to ask, “What is truth?”, which was asked by another historical figure, Pontius Pilate during the trial of Jesus recorded in the New Testament Gospels of the Bible and by Tacitus and Josephus who were historical writers of the times. Jesus in an earlier conversation with his disciples stated, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 16:6a). If we are listening, then truth is a person and we should be listening to Him, (Jesus) and no other. The rich man came face to face with truth, learning too late the consequences of not listening, not repenting, and the neglecting others has on one’s destiny.

Truth would ask for our attention. It would not ask for us to steal, kill, or destroy, in any fashion. Truth would want us to share or even give our lives for others, so that they too could live their eternal life in comfort and not torment. Are we listening to Truth? As stated earlier, truth can be found in Jesus, who is the Truth. Let us call out to Him and He will reveal Truth to us. So, the question is, “Who’s at your gate?” Life or Death? Comfort or Torment? We all get to choose!

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Overcoming Disability: A Journey of Faith

12 Dec

Did you know there is a wonderful story of a woman in the middle east who had struggled with a physical disability for 18 years. The disability may have been a severe case of scoliosis, an abnormally curved spine. There is no way to know the correct diagnosis because the story does not give us one. The description is only that she was bent over and could not raise herself up. The description, however, does give us enough information to scoliosis.

Can you sense the pain this woman must have endured for 18 years. Not only the physical pain but the difficulty in getting a good deep breath. How about the emotional and mental pain. Just trying to imagine her dilemma would be hard for most of us, but there are those who can. Like those who suffer in their own disability, whether physically, emotionally, or mentally. Many of these disabilities are invisible, yet people are suffering. You might be asking, how this woman’s story has anything to do with those suffering with disabilities today? Maybe, just maybe finding or renewing their hope.

As the story goes, during the time of this woman’s life there was a man who traveled throughout the region in which she lived healing every kind of disease and illness, even those who were demon possessed, epileptic, or paralyzed. He healed them all. What’s interesting about this story is the cause of her disability. You see, this man happened to be teaching in the city she lived and saw her. He couldn’t help but notice her disability or sickness and called her over to himself. Once she made her way to him, he had compassion for her and told her she was healed of her sickness. He then touched her and instantly she could stand straight. He told those who questioned him about her healing, that she had been held in bondage by Satan for 18 years and that it was right for him to release her.

Wow, what a story! A story of healing and deliverance. And what’s even more exciting is that this same man lives today, being the same as he was then, today, and forever. Let’s dive a little deeper into this man. You see, this man’s coming was foretold years before by another. He described his appearance as nothing beautiful or majestic, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected, a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. A man people would turn their backs on and look the other way, not even caring. Yet this man carried our weaknesses. Our sorrows weighed him down. He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins, beaten so we could be whole, and whipped so we could be healed. Yet we ignore this back story. We’re blinded to the truth about this man. This man is Jesus, the son of God. God himself who came in the flesh. Who loved us and gave himself for us, so we could be made right with him.

This man, Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah about himself, when he said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that the captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come” (Luke 4:18,19). You see, Jesus is the answer to our deepest need. The need for our sins to be forgiven, our lives to be made whole, and the healing of our body, soul, and spirit. Jesus also said, the thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. But his purpose is to give us a rich and satisfying life, an abundant life (see John 10:10).

Jesus is calling us all to himself as he did the woman in this story. He says, “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for you souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

The story of the woman with the disability can be found in Luke 13:11-33. Its truth will resonate with hope and an expectation of the possibilities of healing and deliverance for anyone who comes to Jesus, the Son of God!

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