Face To Face

Matthew 20:^31-34 “…Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!” Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.”

Community can guide you and help bring you to Jesus, but you have to encounter Jesus for yourself. Years ago, I was in the North of Nigeria, I can’t remember which state exactly. We were rolling out some infrastructure projects across all the states in the nation, and I was going from state to state. During one of our breaks, I was sitting by the side of the road, and I saw a young boy carrying his crippled brother. I could read from the situation that the young man’s assignment was to carry his brother for the rest of his life, and care for him. Yes, we have to be there for one another and carry one another, right?

I was really burdened in my heart for the crippled boy and for his brother, who was carrying him on his back and had been carrying him for years. It doesn’t happen every time, but when it does happen, I know it. So, I felt the burden, and my heart broke before God. I knew that I should pray with him, and I was confident that God was going to heal him on the spot. In the Northern part of Nigeria, you don’t do those kinds of things without being led. So, I engaged them and said, “Let me pray for you in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and you will be healed. The eyes of the boy who was carrying the other lit up, and he was excited. But the boy who was being carried said, “No!” And he said I should not pray for him in that name, and that he would rather die than receive healing from Jesus.

I could see the sadness on the face of the brother who had to carry him. I said to him that Jesus loves you, but he said I should get out, that he is not interested. I said, “But Jesus died for you”, but he told his brother to carry him out of there immediately. And the boy had to pick him up and carry him. As we walked away, he kept looking back at me. Again, people can bring you to God, but you have to embrace God for yourself. It is unfair for people who are always carrying you, to the people who have been there for you, carrying your burdens, and you are not even making the effort to reach God for yourself, because you are enjoying the handouts.

You will never enjoy handouts in the Name of Jesus. May handouts be repulsive to you. May you go from strength to strength as you seek Jesus for yourself in the Name of Jesus. Restoration is to where God intends for you to be. Community is powerful and important, but you need to have a personal encounter with Jesus. You need to seek Jesus for yourself.

Prayer: Father, I pray that my walk and fellowship with You will bring healing not just to me but to everyone in my sphere of influence, in the Name of Jesus. Amen!