« Home | Never Saw It Comin' » | Checking In » | What I Took With Me » | Just Your Average Vice-Presidential Shooting » | Spotlight Center Stage » | A Lesson from Freshmen » | All 'Netted Out » | We've Taken Back the Lead » | Choose Your Own Example » | Watch the News—Learn Something » 

Mar 12, 2006 

Check the Footnotes

Remember the man let down through the roof on a bed to see Jesus? We all learned about it in Sunday school. Four dudes with a sick friend ripped up some guy's roof and dropped their pal right in front of Jesus, thus inventing the box seat. Jesus talked with the sickie, read some minds, and healed the guy. The story has a couple footnotes. One reminds us roofs in biblical times were flat and commonly had stairs leading up there, so the guys' idea wasn't so shocking. Another footnote reminds us that the healing was simply to prove Jesus' ability to forgive sin. Then we draw the moral, typically something like, Bring people to Jesus like those friends did. You may not even get your name in the Bible, but your buddy might be able to rejoin the church softball team.

My pastor preached from this story tonight, but the footnotes became my primary interest. The healing was a proof of a changed heart. It was an outward manifestation of the inner, spiritual working of Christ. It was to show doubters that He was the Son of God He claimed to be and that He could change people the way He claimed to.


This still happens today. No, I'm not referring to Ernest and Benny. We don't accept their "proofs" of the power of God. Why not? Let me propose my theory—God has chosen to prove the working of His power via other means. "Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing."


Sound familiar? I hope so. Most of us are be comfortable starting from, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels...." It's the love chapter. In it, Paul points out that the spiritual gifts are less important than love. In fact, some spiritual gifts were going to disappear entirely, while love was to remain. To jump into the bush, our love is to prove the work of Christ in our lives. Isn't that what Jesus said in John 13:35?


So I realize I owe all of you an apology. And a change. If you're reading this, you've probably had some kind of personal contact with me, and I'm definitely not giving a persuasive argument for the work of God in my life. With His help, I hope to prove His case more effectively in the future.


At 9:34 AM, Blogger Heather said,   

A good reminder of what really matters. Thanks.


At 6:32 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said,   

DO YOU EVER POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


At 11:31 AM, Blogger cassiopeiarl said,   

Love the new format and my new link, but would love a new post even more.


At 10:38 PM, Blogger Noah said,   

See the comment I left on Brierpatch. That states exactly what I would say here, in fact, you hit on some of it already, Justin. Seems God's dealing with us all in very similar areas.

Post a Comment

Random Quote

About Me

  • I'm justinic9 .
  • Currently calling Changchun, Jilin, China home.
  • You'll really find out the most about me by reading my posts, but a little background never hurt. I just graduated from Maranatha Baptist Bible College with a B.S. in Humanities. I plan to go to grad school eventually, but I'm taking a few years to teach English in China before I go back to school. And, um, you should just go read the blog now.

Contact Me

I'm afraid I have new rules about contacting me. In order to protect the sensitive nature of our ministry, please do not discuss spiritual or political things when contacting me. Make a note--we'll talk about it when I get back.

Blogroll

The Ones You Missed

Archives