God Has Come to Help!

One of my all time favorite accounts of Jesus’ life is when he traveled to a town called Nain. You can read about it in Luke 7:11-16. Just outside of town Jesus encountered a funeral procession. Luke gives us some details that help us understand how dire the circumstances were that surrounded this particular death.

The person who died was the only son of a widow. Those words tell us a lot. As a widow, she not only lost the companionship of her husband. She also lost the source of provision and security when her husband died. She was fortunate to have a son. At the death of her husband the son would have become responsible for providing and caring for his mother but now he has died too.

This woman not only was grieving the loss of the two most intimate relationships in her life but she was mourning the loss of provision and security. She officially had no one to turn to. But here comes Jesus.

I love verse 13 of Luke 7. It says, “When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her…..” If you read the verses or know the story you know that he reached up and touched the coffin and said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” And you know the rest of the story.

That part of the story is exciting. I can only imagine the joy in her heart as she sees her son rise from the dead. Once again, she had hope. Once again, she had security. Once again, she had someone to watch over her.

My favorite part of the story is found in the final sentence of verse 16. It says, “God has come to help his people.”

What a great statement! God has come to help his people. If there has ever been a time when God’s people needed His help, it’s today. Be assured, God has come to help.

Always in Pursuit!

Dad Joke #4: Why couldn’t the bicycle stand up by itself? Because it was two tired.

As you know, I’ve been thinking a lot about what normal might look like once this crisis is past. I’m not sure I know what it will look like but I’m thinking and encouraging others in our church to join with me.

Pastor Mark Batterson has sparked some thoughts. A few years ago, I heard him say to a group of pastors, “There are ways to do church that we haven’t dreamed of yet.” (Batterson has become well known for making this statement.)

I believe him. Just thinking about it charges my battery. But for some of us, we are going to have to unlearn a few things.

The church as we know it may never be fully back together like it used to be. At our church, I’m certain we will continue to offer live broadcasts of our services, whether it’s on Facebook or some other medium that has yet to be put into use. (It’s out there, waiting for us to discover it and put it to use to help build the Kingdom.) We will continue to use our YouTube channel and will continue to use other methods to stay connected with those who choose not to join us in person.

First though, some of us may have to “unlearn” a few things. We may never see a “full house” again on Sunday mornings. Thanks to social distancing. Sunday mornings may no longer be “the time” for the church to gather since we are now gathering by technology.

Batterson cited the man in John 5 who had been sick for 38 years. He was waiting for someone to come along and push him in the water when it had been stirred but he had no one to help him. At least till Jesus came by. Jesus challenged his thinking. Jesus offered another way for him to be healed. He didn’t even have to get wet nor did he need additional help. Jesus simply told him to get up! You can read the whole story in John 5:1-15. (When you read it, you will discover this new way of healing also was met with opposition. But that’s for another post.)

The crisis has challenged what we know. It’s causing many of us to unlearn how we did church and to look for new ways to get the word out; to stay connected with one another; to help facilitate spiritual growth; and to encourage continued finances.

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Dad joke #3: Which animal in the Ark did Noah not trust?   The Cheetah.