The obvious problem is not always the real problem. An air conditioner that isn't working on a hot day isn't indicative of a power outage; it could be something more complicated.
Some friends brought a paralyzed man to Jesus one day. Jesus was surrounded by a large crowd inside a house so this man's enterprising friends chopped a hole in the roof and lowered him down right in front of Jesus. The man was paralyzed and is physical condition was obvious, but notice what Jesus immediately says to him:
"Friend, your sins are forgiven you." (Luke 5:20)
Far be it that Jesus ever be considered less than perceptive, but how could he not see that this man had a physical need? Was it not obvious why his friends had gone to this great effort to bring the man to Jesus? Ah, but the obvious need is not always the real need.
"But Jesus ... answered and said to them ... "Which is easier, to say, `Your sins have been forgiven you,' or to say, `Get up and walk'? But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,"--He said to the paralytic--"I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home." Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God." (Luke 5:22-25)
The obvious need was physical. The real need was spiritual. The perceptive Savior addressed the real need and validated his actions by meeting the obvious need.
Physical needs are easy to identify. Spiritual needs are much more elusive. Case in point are the prayer needs listed in a typical church prayer list. How many are for physical needs? How many are for spiritual needs? (I think you know the answer). What real value is there in a physical healing if the physically whole person is spiritually dead and destined for judgment and destruction? The real need is for the life-saving good news of the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus.
The danger of the visible is that it can easily mask and hide the invisible reality. Physical illness and injury can hide the true spiritual need. Conversely, physical health can hide spiritual sickness. Consider Jesus' words to the church at Laodicea:
"`you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked" (Revelation 2:17)
The need is to see with "spiritual eyes". This enables us to see the true needs of others rather than the obvious needs. We also see our own condition with clarity.
May the Lord truly open wide our spiritual eyes so that we can see ourselves and others as He does, and pray intelligently for the real needs.
Steve
Some friends brought a paralyzed man to Jesus one day. Jesus was surrounded by a large crowd inside a house so this man's enterprising friends chopped a hole in the roof and lowered him down right in front of Jesus. The man was paralyzed and is physical condition was obvious, but notice what Jesus immediately says to him:
"Friend, your sins are forgiven you." (Luke 5:20)
Far be it that Jesus ever be considered less than perceptive, but how could he not see that this man had a physical need? Was it not obvious why his friends had gone to this great effort to bring the man to Jesus? Ah, but the obvious need is not always the real need.
"But Jesus ... answered and said to them ... "Which is easier, to say, `Your sins have been forgiven you,' or to say, `Get up and walk'? But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,"--He said to the paralytic--"I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home." Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God." (Luke 5:22-25)
The obvious need was physical. The real need was spiritual. The perceptive Savior addressed the real need and validated his actions by meeting the obvious need.
Physical needs are easy to identify. Spiritual needs are much more elusive. Case in point are the prayer needs listed in a typical church prayer list. How many are for physical needs? How many are for spiritual needs? (I think you know the answer). What real value is there in a physical healing if the physically whole person is spiritually dead and destined for judgment and destruction? The real need is for the life-saving good news of the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus.
The danger of the visible is that it can easily mask and hide the invisible reality. Physical illness and injury can hide the true spiritual need. Conversely, physical health can hide spiritual sickness. Consider Jesus' words to the church at Laodicea:
"`you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked" (Revelation 2:17)
The need is to see with "spiritual eyes". This enables us to see the true needs of others rather than the obvious needs. We also see our own condition with clarity.
May the Lord truly open wide our spiritual eyes so that we can see ourselves and others as He does, and pray intelligently for the real needs.
Steve
posted by steve @ 9:46 AM
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