Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Care for People with Special Skills

Mark 3:1-6

 Daniel Thomas
Orlando MTC
5. He looked around at them in anger, and deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand."  He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.
 As Lord of the Sabbath, did Jesus change the rules for the Sabbath?  Some Biblical scholars say He did not.  But He insisted some principles took precedence over others.  The Pharisees were so particular about nonessentials that they failed to see the deeper truths (Mark 3:2).  Doing good on the Sabbath did not violate the spirit of the law (v. 5).  Ultimately, Jesus offered Himself as the central overriding principle:  the Lord of the Sabbath was qualified to say what honored God and what did not.
 We usually attach label to people and treat them according to their relative usefulness, status and importance. But Jesus gave all of Himself to the sick, needy, and suffering people.  To Jesus a person had none of these manmade label.  He or she was simply a human soul in need.  Love never thinks of people in terms of human importance.  Those who follow Him, and who are called upon to serve others should have the same attitude.
 Fanny Crosby, blinded at six weeks old in 1820, was raised by her mother and grandmother after her father's death.  As a seven-year resident of a school for the blind, she learned to play piano and guitar, and how to sing.  And she went on to spend her whole life serving the Lord through her poetry and music, writing such beloved hymns as "Blessed Assurance" and "Jesus Is Tenderly Calling You Home," which are still sung by millions today.
 Paul says in 1 Corinthians that, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work" (12:4-6).
 There are many stories throughout the Gospels of people being touched by the Lord, and even a bleeding woman touching His cloak in faith:  Jesus healing the man with leprosy (Matt. 8:5), healing the blind and mute man (Matt. 9:29), and the woman's bleeding stopped by the touch of His cloak (Mark 5:27) are just a few.  The examples of Him reaching out and touching the suffering and sick people demonstrate His character and passion.  And He continues to touch His children with His care and compassion in a multitude of ways even today.  You and I are called upon to act as His hands, eyes, and ears.

PRAYER


Father, Open our eyes to see the hurts and struggles of others.  Also, please open our hearts to respond to them, so that through us they may seeYou and Your love.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
"He screens the suffering, filtering it through fingers of love."  Joni Eareckson and Steve Estes   

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