I was reading three different stories from the Gospels one night before going to bed. In each story I noticed a connecting thought … there was someone trying to get to Jesus but couldn’t because other people were in the way. The three stories were: The woman with the issue of blood (Luke 8:43), Zaccheus, the vertically-challenged tax collector (Luke 19:3), and the paralyzed man whose four friends brought him to Jesus on a stretcher (Luke 5:19). But, the three people in these stories found a way to get to Jesus in spite of the hindrance caused by other people.
In the first story, the paralyzed man on the stretcher couldn’t get to Jesus because Jesus was in a crowded house filled with scribes and Pharisees … religious people whom Jesus often referred to as “Hypocrites.” The truth is, some people won’t come to Jesus because “there are too many hypocrites in the church.” Over the years, I’ve personally heard quite a few people use this excuse for the reason they don’t attend church services. But, if a person really wants to get to Jesus badly enough, they won’t let hypocrites get in the way! The friends of the paralyzed man climbed to the roof of the house and tore a hole in the roof to let their friend down so Jesus could heal him. That’s boldness that overcomes hypocrisy!
In the second story, the woman with the issue of blood “pressed through the crowd” to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment to receive her healing. If you need healing, sometimes you’ve got to PRESS through the crowd of people who stand in the way between you and the miracle you seek. And sometimes, in that crowd are people who’ve hurt you or caused you emotional pain. But, if you want to get to Jesus badly enough, you won’t let bitterness or unforgiveness towards other people hinder you. If touching the hem of His garment requires it, you’ll just press on through the crowd.
In the third story, Zaccheus couldn’t get to Jesus because a crowd of people stood between him and the Master. But did that stop him? No! He climbed up in a sycamore tree so He could get a better look at Jesus. He got OVER his problems with people so he could get to Jesus. Jesus saw his tenacity and invited Himself to Zaccheus’ house in response. Zaccheus became a new man that day because he didn’t let people hinder him from getting to Jesus.
There have been crowds of people hanging around Jesus since the time of His ministry here on Earth. But, don’t let people hinder you from getting to Him. Doubtless, there are people around Him that you don’t like, that you think are hypocrites, or just would rather not be around … but if you want to get to Him you’d better learn how to PUSH THROUGH THE CROWD!
Matthew 11:12
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
