The Gospel of Grace by Pete BriscoeSample

This Better Be Good…

I have been seized by the power of a great affection. —Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel

Imagine for a moment: You live 2,000 years ago in a village near the Sea of Galilee. One of your kids can’t walk because when he was little a street cart ran over both of his legs. It’s 1,700 years before the invention of surgery, and he’s crippled for life. When you’re gone, he’ll beg and rely on the mercy of others for survival.

One day, your blind neighbor peers over the fence and says, “Hi.”

Confused, you wave your hand in front of his face. He waves back.

He proceeds to tell you about this Jesus guy who’s been healing the blind and lame. For the first time since your son’s accident, you feel hope! You drop everything, bundle up your son, and make for the hills in search of Jesus. The 10-mile journey leaves you wiped; and when you arrive, there are masses of people looking for Jesus. Determined, you comb the hills until someone calls out, “He’s over here!”

Everyone rushes to get in line and wait. As the sun rises, you’re a dozen people back and hope is overflowing. Every person Jesus touches is healed.

You’re now second in line… then first. You rearrange your son so Jesus can reach him, but just then He looks up and says, “I’m sorry. I have to go.”

Back to the present. I’ve embellished the story, but it really happened.

At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying His hands on each one, He healed them.… At daybreak, Jesus went to a solitary place. The people were looking for Him and when they came to where He was, they tried to keep Him from leaving them. But he said, “I must…” (Luke 4:40, 42-43)

How could He do this? Jesus understood that sometimes you drop everything—even healing precious people—in order to do the most important thing.

If you’re like me, you’re thinking Jesus’ most important thing better have been good. Really good.

And it was.

Compassionate Savior, sometimes it’s hard to say no when people are involved. Most of the time it’s hard to hear no when my people are involved. I can’t imagine how hard it was for You to be limited by time while overflowing with love. I’m ready to discover what compelled You to leave; I’m ready to be compelled. Amen.