BBD 08.15.02 Desperate People
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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The Burning Bush Devotional
08.15.02
Desperate People
"Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.
And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered
the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the
bed on which the paralytic was lying." - Mark 2:3-4.
In an oasis town near Cairo police have arrested a man who was performing
brain surgeries but only has a primary school education. The brain surgeon
pretender did have a secondary school certificate that was forged and he
claimed to have studied brain surgery in Germany and Cairo. The 40-year-old
fake surgeon was very busy seeing about 200 patients per week and charging
$4.74 each. Apparently the fake doctor had performed several brain
surgeries however it is unknown whether the patients survived.
Why would anyone go to a fake brain surgeon? For one thing there were many
other people going to him for help. He did have a forged secondary school
certificate. Maybe he was successful in a brain surgery or two or maybe
some of his associates spread the word that the fake doctor had done their
surgeries. The most likely and sad reason for the success of the fake
doctor is the desperation of the people. In the midst of their hopelessness
someone held out some hope and they grabbed it like a drowning person grabs
a life preserver.
Desperation was what was driving the four friends of a paralyzed man almost
two thousand years ago. They had heard about this Jesus and thought that He
was the only hope their friend had. It was desperation that cooked up the
plan of ripping up the roof and then the lowering of their friend to the
feet of Jesus. It was a foolish plan but it was the only hope they had.
The amazing thing about their desperation was that it had driven them to the
One who really was able to help their friend. Imagine their joy as their
friend at the word of Jesus stood up picked up his bed and walked out of the
house! Amazing!
Have you ever had that much desperation? That much love for someone? Are
you desperate enough for the souls of the lost people all around you to do
something they may very well think is crazy? Do you love them enough to
overcome all obstacles and take them to the only One who can help them?
Jesus, unlike the fake doctor is truly able to help. That help is
available, it is waiting, and it doesn't even cost $4.74 because it is free.
What are you waiting for?
Copyright © 2002. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the
devotionals on a non-profit basis with source credited.
If I can help you in any way please contact me at wrather@logixonline.net
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