Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Matthew 11:5, ” The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. “

Background

Let me read you a quote from the book I’m reading. ” Although it is hot, [he] is wearing long sleeves, with a blanket over his legs, his skin pale. The disease owns him. ” When I read that, I had to put the book down. A crystal clear image of this dying man filled my mind, so that I could see Him sitting in his chair, consumed by what was inside of him. Everything about him displayed the destructive force that was at work within his body, so that he was helpless to hide it. Does this conjure up an image for you? Most of us have probably witnessed this to some degree with a family member or a loved one. It’s not a picture that one quickly forgets. But if we can, let’s take this image and look at it in a different light. The quote described how the man looked, a result of the disease that owned him. And in a very real sense, it did own him. It determined what he was able to do, when it could be done, and how it was to happen. There was nothing in his life that was not affected by his disease. And the saddest part is that the man was a helpless victim to his master, powerless to resume the life he had before.

Application

But if we were to consider ourselves as subject to a master, owned by something within, what outward image would that project to the world? Is there a force within you that determines what you are able to do, when you can do it, and how it should be done? Do you sit in total contrast to the ways of the world around you solely because the power within you constrains you to? Can anyone look at you, watch you live your life, and listen to your words and know that you are owned by another? And is there a joy in your heart that expresses a willing submission that you give to this all-consuming master? Long before our bodies begin to fail or relinquish their power to an evil disease, they should be expressing the life that was given for our very own. The Lord Jesus owns you. But how obvious is it? God Himself lives within you. But how obvious is it?

Charge

As we seek Him today, let the Spirit that owns you show Himself to the world. Let your life be a willing testament to the glorious ownership of God.