Mark 9:20-21 – So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered.
I imagine a lot of people avoided the family of the possessed boy. Jesus doesn’t.
Instead Jesus engages the father by asking an important question… How long? How long have you been suffering?
How long have you been shunned?
How long has you heart been breaking for your child?
Can you think of people you encounter who are avoided by others?
Can you think of people would love it if someone showed concern for them?
Follow the example of Christ and resist the urge to turn away from people. Instead, come alongside them and ask “How long?” This should be a marker of God’s people.
I imagine a lot of people avoided the family of the possessed boy. Jesus doesn’t.
Instead Jesus engages the father by asking an important question… How long? How long have you been suffering?
How long have you been shunned?
How long has you heart been breaking for your child?
Can you think of people you encounter who are avoided by others?
Can you think of people would love it if someone showed concern for them?
Follow the example of Christ and resist the urge to turn away from people. Instead, come alongside them and ask “How long?” This should be a marker of God’s people.
Two things I want to note...
First, if this is true for the Christian life, how much more should it be evident for those in ministry?
And second, Tiny Bible Bits celebrates it's first anniversary tomorrow. It's amazing that this small, simple idea, now reaches 163 people three times a week. When I first wrote about this a year ago I had no clue it would see out the month, let alone be alive and kicking after 12...
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