July 31, Matthew 19
The glowing video display cast a blue-gray hue onto the walls and the people gathered in the small consultation room. The picture on the monitor was indistinct at first, but as the cardiologist identified the pulsating heart and which arteries were blocked and which were flowing, it became obvious my friend had a
serious problem. The test results showed open heart surgery was needed immediately. None of us knew the answers to our questions: How does a visitor to our country have open heart surgery while he is here on a short-term visa? How can arrangements be made to pay the surgeon and hospital bills? What will the immigration officials and diplomats in both countries do? The cardiologist said, “I don’t know what’s going to happen here or how we can get this done. But God already knows what
he’s going to do. Let’s pray about it.” We joined hands, and the doctor, a man of small stature, prayed a big prayer of faith. My friend had surgery, and is doing well today, back in his homeland.
Jesus knew heart trouble when he saw it, too. He could look into the spiritual heart, diagnose the problem and prescribe the cure without the aid of diagnostic technology. When the Pharisees came with their questions about divorce, he knew they were testing him, not seeking spiritual guidance. He identified the reason Moses had permitted divorce when it was not God’s original design—because the hearts of the Israelites were hard. The disciples wanted to shoo away the parents who were bringing their children to be blessed (a very rabbinical thing for Jesus to do). Jesus told those disciples with their own selfish agendas that the kingdom of heaven was more about those little children than their own prideful hearts. And when an admirable young fellow wanted to know what he could do to have eternal life, Jesus was able to identify the problem in his heart and prescribe the remedy the young man could not accept.
When the Great Physician checks your heart, and he does, what does he find there? Is there hardness that looks for the way to circumvent God’s will for your life? Is there pride that promotes self and dismisses others? Is there
covetousness that makes you cling to the gifts God has given you more than to him, the giver of the gifts? The results of such a penetrating examination may not be good news, but it’s critically important to know. He knows exactly what needs to be done and how he’s going to do it. When we’re willing to submit to his diagnosis and treatment, we’ll be fine, and someday, we’ll be in our homeland, with him, forever.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide
for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used
by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—July 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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