Couple of scripture points to check out, first John 5. In particular the healing that takes place in verses 1 - 15. Then Matthew 7, and the verse about the Narrow Gate (13-14). I know these seem unrelated right now, but let me explain. So in John 5 we hear about this pool, but its not like what we think of as a pool. This pool is a natural one that developed over a spring, that people built structure around for others to enjoy the pools - it was divided in two. The talk of the town and the paintings on the wall say that every now and then an angel will come to stir the waters, when that happens get in the water and you will be cured of anything wrong with you. 'But what if you are paralyzed and can't get in', glad you asked, well your family or friends would take you down - if you don't have anyone you would pay them.
Here is where things may seem to derail, you see the man that Christ talks to in John 5 had been there for a while and no one ever took him down, by the time he would pull himself there the healing power would be gone. So, he sat there at the entrance to the pool day after day, year after year, a tragedy right? Jesus heals the man and tells him something that He knows will trigger the law keepers, take your mat and walk. See the way the law was originally set up was so people would help their brother, like there should never be a hungry person in Israel if the law was kept. Problem was loop holes. Take for instance laws about the Sabbath, the law says to keep it holy... do no work because that is how God designed us, to take a break. So the day before you prep everything you need for the Sabbath. Now lets say Josephus runs out of oil or wine on the Sabbath what is he to do? Well he can't go buy it because that would mean someone else would have to work, so he goes to old Ben's house down the road. Here he would take what he needs and head home, then the problem came that they can't say 'hey can I borrow this' or 'I will loan this', that meant they would need to make a deal and write it down... which would be more work. So more rules were added to prevent chaos. Another rule is that you cannot come to God's presence if you are unclean, meaning in the last seven days you haven't done anything to defile yourself - one way to do so would be to come in contact with someone who is deformed, diseased, or dead (see where this is going yet). So the reason no one is helping this guy by the pool is because of these laws, which have been twisted from 'lets help each other' to 'lets keep ourselves pure above all'. No one wants to help this guy because then they can not go to church until next week if they do. I can't stop to help because I will be late for practice, the welcome team, Sunday school, or Bible Study. We can't miss one service or event to help someone else. Sure if I miss service this week that means there is one less soul in the building, but if I can help that other soul then the next week service will have one more than usual. Is that not worth it? (Selah- Pause and reflect) Ever wonder why the gate is narrow? I asked God this question and this is the imagery I got. Walking up to this garden or party that is sealed off by this brick and ivy wall, in the middle there is an entrance an old iron gate that you think you could just walk through. On closer inspection you think it might be easier to slide in side ways and suck in your gut. But it isn't so much your body that is the issue but what is around it. Its the really expensive suit you bought to look nice at the party that is just too much to get through. The name tags on your chest that declare who you are outside those walls: world's best boss, prettiest smile, best dressed, 3 time Olympian, most on time, loved by all. Its the medals and rings you have won that just add too much for you to get in - the things that moth, rust, and time destroy. You see the only thing that makes it to that garden party on the other side is the soul that was invited, and the only thing you can take with you are souls who are on the guest list. Being on time every Sunday, or part of the worship team, even being the pastor isn't what you will be known for in heaven. Its what you did for the kingdom and God. That patient you took extra care of and told them about eternity, that client that you shared the gospel with, that kid in lunch who has no friends and you introduced them to Jesus friend of the friendless. Matthew 6:19-21 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. There are only two choices in the end and you make the decision now, be fabulous and go for the wide gate or be Christ like and bring others to paradise even if it means you don't have a "life". Selah.
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Brian J AbrahamI am on the leadership team with OSU Chi Alpha...we are not a frat. Check us out on Facebook or on our site. Archives
July 2018
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