Love Calls

Matthew 10:1 Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. (NLT)

I’ve been called in by a grandmother from rambling in the hog pen to eat supper. I’ve been called by a father to come in from playing for a mid morning snack. I’ve been called down by teachers for talking in class and called up to the front to recite multiplication tables. I’ve even been called on to pray in public. Each call required action and involved choice. Failure to do either would have brought consequences. Jesus invites all people to follow him but forces no one. Ignoring his call has consequences; so does accepting it. Agreeing to follow yields authority. We are forgiven of all sin, granted eternal life and given the right to make an identical offer to others.

Love calls; we have a choice to make.copyright by Martin W. Wiles, 2011

Love Identifies

Matthew 9:36 He felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn’t know where to go for help. (NLT)

The world’s troubles are overwhelming. Famine, disease, hunger, crime, drugs, natural disasters, tragedies, terrorist attacks, wars, broken families, poverty, corrupt leaders. It’s an endless list, and I sometimes wonder how I can make a difference. I certainly can’t solve all the problems; perhaps not even one completely. But I have a choice: put forth an effort or sit back, complain, worry and do nothing. As God, Jesus could have solved every problem and healed every disease. As God in human form, his impact was limited but he made one nevertheless. He empathized and acted. The second doesn’t happen until the first is experienced. Empathy happens through imagining ourselves experiencing what others are, then asking, “How can I help you?”

God will move us to needed actions when we ask.

Love’s Healing Power

Matthew 9:35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. (NLT) 

“You have cancer and at most only have a few months to live.” Everyone dreads hearing those words. Some avoid tests that reveal the truth. Others refuse treatment after discovering the truth. And still others enter dark periods of depression. Jesus didn’t heal every disease and illness he encountered, but he healed all types of diseases and illnesses in every type of person. And he possesses the power to cure them all if he chooses. Diseases extend beyond the physical realm. Emotional and spiritual sicknesses are often just as deadly and require healing only Jesus can deliver. Through prayer and meditation on his Word, God’s unconditional love and comfort will soothe the pains of depression, sorrow, disappointment, loneliness and uncertainty. And when we take side roads or shortcuts in our spiritual journey, his Word and indwelling Spirit will lovingly guide us back to the right path.

Ask and you will receive.

Misunderstood

Matthew 9:34 But the Pharisees said, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons.” (NLT)

Can you remember losing points on a test or redoing homework because you misunderstood the directions? I can. Sometimes it was because I was hurrying to answer questions before I forgot the answers. Like the young man rushing to complete his final test before Christmas break. He empties his brain and turns in his paper only to have the teacher return it; he forgot to put his name on it. Aggravated, he begins to write his name but sees the following: “Name worth 100 points. Merry Christmas.” Jesus was misunderstood by most religious leaders. They accused him of undermining their authority, stealing their followers, challenging their traditions and exposing their insincere motives. They return the favor by falsely accusing him and having their enemies crucify him. When following God unreservedly, others will sometimes misunderstand us. They may question our motives, undermine our work and even attempt to tarnish our reputation. But keeping your eyes focused on God’s plan and responding to criticism with love will ensure a successful venture.

Let nothing steal your focus.

Love Gives Up Stuff

Matthew 9:14 One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked him, “Why don’t your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?”

As a child, I was taught to give, but like most children I enjoyed getting more than giving. Parents, teachers and grandparents had to encourage me to share and sacrifice-to be selfless. After all, Christmas and birthdays were about me-or so I thought. Jesus encountered religious elite who liked to show off. So in addition to giving up food, they added uncombed hair, unwashed faces and somber looks. Others noticed and admired them, but that’s all the reward they received. Their motives were tarnished. Fasting involves giving up more than food. Such as internet, television, electronic games, cell phones and hobbies. We choose to sacrifice something temporarily so we can focus intensely on God and hear his directions more clearly.

God will always reward our gift of giving up.

Love Loves The Unlovable

Matthew 9:11 The Pharisees were indignant. “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” they asked his disciples. (NLT)

He was a modern day rebel. His thinking was untraditional, his definition of success was unconventional and the people he associated with were incapable of helping him climb the social ladder. He avoided the religious leaders religiously-and they were the ones who could have guided him to victory. To top things off, he chose a rag tag group of followers to advance his agenda after his death and taught them the same philosophy. Makes you wonder what business school he attended. But since he came from heaven, there must be lessons from his lifestyle. And there are. Love doesn’t love because of what it gets but for what it can offer. It is practical and unconditional, touching those selfishness avoids. Love has compassion on its enemies. With gentleness, it reaches out to those too ashamed to reach up. And it never requires anything in return.

Love succeeds when all else fails.

Unimaginable Possibilities

I Corinthians 2:9 No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. (NIV)

RONALD WAS A freckled face nine year old who loved lying on his grandmother’s lap letting her count his spots. He’d never confess this to his friends though; he had a hard enough time making them in the first place.
Ronald came from a simple family. No one was wealthy or famous. There were no world travelers. With the exception of his father, no one had attended college. Ron’s future looked bleak. No money and not much hope of being more than his roots dictated.
Somewhere in his journey, Ron discovered all things are possible with God. And he grasped his importance to God. What God could do for and through him was unimaginable and exciting.
Paul introduced a God of unlimited power. Family heritage, position on the social totem pole, appearance, physical limitations, and wealth are immaterial. God is never limited by our limitations. Obedience opens heaven’s flood gates. It can even change our definition of success.
God has wonderful things prepared for those who love him, and love is demonstrated by obedience to his commands. But God can’t use dirty vessels; they don’t reflect his holy nature.
Ron eventually graduated college and received a post graduate degree. He later became a free lance writer and author. But he wasn’t interested in fame; just obedience. And as he obeyed, God gave him possibilities he never imagined.
Choose obedience and let God architect an unimaginable future for you.

Love’s Expectations

Matthew 9:6 Stand up, take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed. (NLT)

I’ve seen the shysters claiming healing power and heard about the plants that make them appear authentic. Jesus wasn’t even though some claimed he was. Forgiving sin was God’s business, and they didn’t believe he was God. To disprove them, Jesus told the forgiven paralyzed man to get up and walk. And he did. When sin healing occurs, Jesus expects us to do the same-get up and act. Tell someone. Let attitudes, actions and words reflect what has happened. God labored on our behalf, and the most precious thing we can do for the lonely, depressed, financially destitute, broken, and hurting is to act on their behalf. A hurting world awaits those who can to stand up, take our mats and do something.

No Fear

Matthew 8:26 And Jesus answered, ‘Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!’ (NLT)

Nobody likes to be called “scaredy cat,” but most kids are. Because they won’t ask a girl out, go to a haunted house, ride a roller coaster, walk in a dark room, or steal from a store. Fears can follow into adulthood. Fear of beginning new ventures because we might fail. Then others will laugh and ridicule because we have. Fear we’ll never find the right partner or have children. Or that we won’t attain satisfactory employment. Jesus’ disciples were afraid because they were in a fierce storm. When they petitioned Jesus for help, he asked why they were frightened. Their fears were unreasonable because God’s Son was on board. In life, Jesus is still on board through his Spirit and there is no reason to fear. Food, shelter, clothing? No problem. He promises to give them. Trials, disease, emotional meltdowns, disappointments? He promises to take all things and weave good from them.

Why are you afraid?

Love’s In The Storm

Matthew 8:23-24 Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake. (NLT)

I’ve heard it before. Follow Jesus and….You will always have enough money, he’ll give you a new car-or a new house, your children will never take a wrong road, you’ll have continual good health, your spouse will never leave, and miracle after miracle will hound you. “Give a thousand dollars to this ministry and you’ll get that new television.” Yada, yada, yada. If the above is true, I must be following the wrong person. I’m convinced I’m not, but I could follow the right person with a wrong philosophy. The disciples faced a storm with Jesus in the boat, so following him doesn’t guarantee the absence of difficulties, tragedies, disease or ravaging life storms. Comfort comes from realizing that while God might not deliver us from the storms, he will ride them out with us. And when he’s in the boat, there’s no room for fear, anxiety or worry.

Love’s Cost

Matthew 8:19 Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you no matter where you go!” (NLT) 

I can’t ever recall saying that to anyone. I usually put conditions on whether I follow or not: are they popular, are they in style, will following enhance my status, will following consume too much of my time, will it cost me anything. You know the selfish questions that ask “What’s in it for me?” An apparent interested individual told Jesus he would follow him regardless, but when Jesus said he didn’t even have a place to lay his head, he probably stopped following before he ever started. Loving others costs. I love my wife so I sacrifice for her. I love my friends so I’m loyal to them. Sacrificing time and selfish interests is the norm if I’m to follow those I love. Jesus sacrificed his time and life, making it possible for us to connect with him. What is following him costing you?

Love’s Great Faith

Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” (NLT)

He was Roman officer with a paralyzed bedridden servant; a body constantly racked with pain. Hearing of Jesus and his healing power, he searched him out and begged him to heal his servant. Jesus agreed and was about to set out for the officer’s house when the officer requested he do it from where he was. Amazed at his faith, Jesus granted his appeal. Jesus can heal from anywhere, which is good news since he no longer physically walks the earth. But since he is omnipresent, he is spiritually everywhere at the same time. He’s with me, you and the person living on the other side of the world. He knows every need at the same time and is powerful enough to meet them all. And will in his own time, according to his plan, and with our best interest in mind. All he asks is that we trust.

Love Heals

Matthew 8:2 Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” (NLT)

On October 7, 1950 Sister Teresa received Vatican permission to start the diocesan congregation that became the Missionaries of Charity. In her words, its mission was to care for "the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone." These same types of people followed Jesus; in particular this leper. He knew Jesus could heal him, and Jesus assured him he wanted to. Jesus isn’t only interested in our physical needs. He cares about the emotional, spiritual and mental too. No need is beyond his knowledge or ability to mend. The healing may not come the way we wish but come it will. All that’s required is faith in his power to make us whole.