Reasons for Faith - II

Isaiah 61:1-3; Matthew 19:13-15

"Jesus loves me? Can I go see Him, Mama? Can I get close to Him? The crowd is so big!" "Child, stay close to me. I’ll get you close to Him." ... The two of them move through the crowd bobbing and weaving through slight openings. Then, just before the moment when they break through the inner circle...

"Stop. That’s close enough. Rabbi Jesus has no time for your kid."

"What? Do you mean that Jesus doesn’t want to see my child. She just wants to see if He really loves her, like I said. Please let me pass."

Then, looking around she realized she was not the only pushing parent. Little heads were bobbing through legs of adults. Small bodies were hoisted onto shoulders of strong fathers and brothers.

"Sir," asked the girl to the determined follower of Jesus, "doesn’t Jesus love...me?"

"Bartholomew, Peter, Thaddeus, move out of the way," He boomed with laughter. "Let them all come to Me!" What a day that must have been. What a moment! Returning home later, young hearts were changed. Old hearts were warmed. Jesus welcomed any who came to Him...simply, openly...like a child.

Happy just to be with Jesus! We seldom behave that way. We usually consider such a move only after disaster of some sort has struck. We face something in life that overwhelms. We make wrong decisions. We cause pain to ourselves and to those we love. A difficult medical diagnosis, or a faltering career makes us wonder how we will make it. Our family cannot seem to connect with each other. Then we edge in a bit closer to Jesus. "Will He still love me after what I have done? Could He forgive me?" Is He for real? "Does Jesus still love me?"

Before we come to the table, consider some reasons for faith in Him. This familiar hymn provides a few of many reasons we have to answer our doubts. We can say today,

Little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me to bring good news to the afflicted...to proclaim release to the captives...to set free those who are downtrodden. (Isaiah 61 and Luke 4)

A woman reports from Paducah, Kentucky: My husband and I were having problems that kept us living separately for a while. I was pregnant and having trouble with my job. When my daughter was born, she soon had medical problems. Severe brain damage developed. Jesus was there for me the whole time. He didn’t restore my marriage right away. He didn’t give me a lot of money for basic needs. But He did give me my daughter. She has severe cerebral palsy. Doctors told me she would be better off in a special home. I said no. She belongs to us. She doesn’t walk or talk or even feed herself. She sings and talks in her own special way. He knew what He was doing. And I am grateful! Jesus gave her a garland instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. (Isaiah 61)

My son, your sins are forgiven...take up your pallet and go home. (Mark 2)

Go back a number of years to Dallas, Texas. The Cowboys football team in its greater days, had a wide receiver, with a first name of Lance. Many touchdowns and much wealth came his way. But he was coming apart. He had been charged with an alleged morals crime against a minor. His shame was massive. He failed his family and team and community. Lance and his wife were numb for the first days following the news. They struggled to get a grip on their lives. She vowed to stick with him through it all. But he still feared the worst. He felt abandoned. He had to return to the team and face them.

At that first team meeting, Lance sat off by himself, not looking up. Then, other players came in. Instead of sitting where they usually did, many of them moved close to him. As Coach Landry entered there was not the usual noise, but a sort of holy hush. Tears were falling off the cheeks of the wide receiver. Then, Landry watched as first one hand, then another was placed on the shoulder of their wounded comrade. First one then another leaned close to Lance: "I’m with you." "I’m with you." "I’m with you." He went through the ordeal. He knew he was not alone. The family healed. He played again.

Well done, good and faithful servant. (Matthew 25.21)

Kathi and I waited for our plane connection in St Louis to return home from our son’s wedding. We lived there many years ago for over six years. We still have a special family there. I called them on our behalf, greeted them, caught up with some past history, and said good-bye. Then we remembered their son Mark. He came into our lives at about age 12. He had leukemia. We prayed for him, and witnessed an amazing turn for the better. He went into remission. We all rejoiced!

One day I was taking him home from an event at church. "Mark, you have made a great recovery so far. But do you mind if I ask you a question?" "No, I don’t mind at all!" he responded enthusiastically. "Mark, I don’t want you to die. But if you do die, are you ready?" He looked at me. "I gave my life to Jesus. He can do with me as he wants. I’m ready to live or to die." A year and half later, in the hospital room with his parents, he looked just off to the side and past me. "I see Jesus. He’s here for me!" And he went home ... Enter into the joy of your master! (Matthew 25.21)

...in Me you may have peace. In the world, you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. (John 16.33)

Jesus strengthens us, forgives us, and keeps us all the way to heaven. Our call from Him is to live with His peace in this world. We have the holy supper and His Word strengthens us for living and serving Him. You can count on Him. No question!