Thought for July 15

History:

• 1099: City of Jerusalem captured in First Crusade
• 1799: Rosetta Stone discovered
• 1806: Zebulon Pike begins exploration of Southwest [Pike's Peak]
• 1870: Georgia is last Southern Stare readmitted to the Union
• 1912: Jim Thorpe wins Olympic Decathlon
• 1916: Boeing founded
• 1937: Buchenwald Concentration Camp opens
• 1948: Alcoholics Anonymous founded
• 1960: Chubby Checker releases "The Twist"
• 1988: Die Hard released
• Born: Rembrandt, Clement Moore [Twas the Night Before Christmas], Caruso, Clive Cussler, Linda Ronstadt, Arianna Huffington, Jesse Ventura, Forest Whitaker, Diane Kruger
• Died: Ponce de Leon, Tom Thumb, Anton Chekhov, John J Pershing, Gianni Versace, Martin Landau,  

Thought:

Today I am reading one of my favorite stories in the Bible. It is one of the first stories I can remember being taught other than the Christmas stories. I can still see Miss Mary and Miss Christine [two unmarried sisters who taught me in the 5 year olds] holding a picture of the men lowering their friend through the roof of the house. There are so many truths in this story [Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26]. Here are some that speak to me today:

• Jesus is in Capernaum. Matthew calls it "His own city", the center of His Galilean ministry. We think Jesus usually stayed at Peter's house when in Capernaum, so this may have been Peter's house. There is a crowd:
• Many came to be healed. Some came to hear the Teacher. Pharisees and scribes were there. And the crowd was from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem. It must have overflowed the house. Every nook and cranny was filled, standing room only. So crowded that the paralytic and his friends could not get in the door. Without intending to step on any toes this morning, let me say that I have seen this in person. The church presents a music special event--Christmas or Easter--and we regular church people arrive extra early to make sure we get a seat. Then when the visitors and guests arrive [unfamiliar with the fact that all the seats fill early], there are no seats. Yes, we get the blessing of the music, and yes we got there early, but if the purpose is to present the truth of the gospel to a lost world, maybe we should save the best seats for the visitors and guests. In any event, the paralytic and his friends could not get in. 
• The friends--wouldn't you like to have friends like these men? Or would you rather BE a friend like these men? They carried their friend who could not make it on his own. And they would not be denied their goal--get this friend to Jesus whatever it takes. Lord, help me be that kind of friend--I'll do whatever it takes to present the gospel to my lost and hurting friends. 
• The paralytic--think about his life. We don't know whether he was paralyzed from birth, injured, or diseased. We do know his life was one of helplessness and hopelessness. Begging, sitting beside dusty roads pleading for help. Unable to support himself or his family. Dependent. 
• The homeowner--What a blessing, Jesus is in my house. I must be special. He could have stayed anywhere. What! Who is digging a hole in my roof? Interesting that there is no mention of the homeowner, no mention of the reaction of the crowd when the debris starts falling from the ceiling, no description of the reaction of the Pharisees and scribes who were likely sitting on the front row.  Makes me recall that it is His house, not mine. I am just the caretaker. Lord, use it as You see fit.
• Matthew 9:2--Jesus saw their faith. Faith is an active word. James tells us to show him our faith by our works. True faith results in action. These men and the paralytic believed that if they could get this man to Jesus, he would be healed. That belief was demonstrated by carrying the man to the site, removing the roof and lowering the man to Jesus. They didn't just talk about what they believed, they acted like they believed. Lord, help me live today like I really believed all of Your promises are true.
• Let's finish this story tomorrow. Today, think about those you know who don't know Jesus. Then think about what you are willing to do to introduce them to Him. Then follow the Nike ad--Just Do It!

Blessings

Larry