We cannot be too harsh with the disciples. We are the champions of discussion, the masters of analysis. Dr. William Willimon tells of a young coed at Duke University, where he is a professor, who died as a result of anorexia. After the funeral he was walking down the sidewalk of the church and a women came up to talk with him. The women spoke about the tragic nature of this girl's death and then said to Dr. Willimon, "Of course you know why she did this." Dr. Willimon told the women that he could not fathom why anyone would do such a thing. The women then quickly gave her physiological analysis of the situation and walked off. She had it all figured out.
Are we much different than this women? We look at the troubled teenagers and develop complex theories for their antisocial, self-destructive actions. We see the homeless and discuss why they are destitute and lonely. We are confronted with broken families and we analyze how they fell apart. We send our sick to the hospital so we can diagnosis the cause of their illness. We drive down our streets and witness the horror of our depraved society and at the next bible study we can talk about how bad its become and why they have become so bad. We are experts on why sinners sin. Just ask us. We'll be glad to discuss it with you.
It is painful to admit, and even more painful to confess, but we must. We are worse than the disciples were that day. We need to hear Jesus' answer to the disciples afresh. "As long as it is day we must do the work of Him Who sent me." The discussion and analysis has it place, but the too often our dialogue and diagnosis is our way of avoiding the "work of Him Who sent" us. Jesus quickly told the disciples that their theology was flawed, and then turned His attention to the blind man. He reached out to the blind man rather than point His finger at Him. He spoke to the blind man, rather than talk about him. He gave sight to the blind man, rather than debate the reason for his blindness. Jesus taught a valuable lesson that day; God sens us into a hurting, helpless, harassed world to do His work.
It is easier to discuss the problem than to lead to the Savior. It is easier to diagnosis than to offer salvation. It is easier to theorize about the despair than to give hope. It is easier to debate the world's lies than to share the Truth. It is easier to point at people and talk about them than to talk to them about the One they need. But, "easier" leaves people in the darkness and the Lord's work undone!
A few years after this incident, Peter and John were on their way to pray. At the temple gates they came upon a man "crippled from birth"* who had been carried there to beg. When Peter and John saw the man they went up to him. Peter looked the man "straight in the eye" and spoke to the man saying, "silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth..." Obviously Peter and John learned their lesson. I wonder. Have we?
Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry