"The
Son of Man is no lackey to the Sabbath; he's in charge."-- (Mat 12:8)
A few
days ago I went to a concert to see one of my really closed friends perform. The place was packed, in an attempt to avoid
the crowd I tried to politely apologize from attending, and suggest to get
together later. My friend was clearly
very disappointed and pleaded for me to attend specially that I am often out of
the country and I haven't seen him perform since the band was still in its
early stages.
I caved
and promised to meet afterwards and share my feedback. The concert was a huge success, and I did not
realize how many fans my friends had.
There were large numbers of screaming fans singing along and dancing to
their music. That explained the number
of security roaming around and guarding the exits to the place, in addition to
assigned personnel just to make sure to keep the roaring fans from going
backstage and "bother" the band.
When the
concert ended, I called my friend as agreed and I informed him of where I was
standing along with another friend of mine next to one of the backstage doors. It was a useless and some how funny to attempt
convincing the securety guards that we are not some fans trying to go back
stage but acutally we have been requested to come. I am sure they were rolling their eyes in
their heads and saying to themselves "that what you all say" J
Few
moments later my friend the lead singer came outside to where we were standing and
it became very obvious to the gurards that we were more than just some random
acquaintance. Shortly after congratulating my friend we gently denied his
invitation to stay longer and join them at some after party gathering. We
headed out, the scene was different this time, the security guards were more
friendly and smiling as they pointed us to the way out and they even wished us
a good night.
Today, I
examen my heart and search my life and recognize my need to step closer into
the glory of God. It is a place that I can not force myself into. I
have to be invited to draw near. I know I am not one of the
great apostles, religious scholars or community leaders. I
am only a child (Mark 10:14) and perhaps with the criteria and judgement
of some could be no better than the outsider Canaanite woman (Mat 15:22).
Yet, both the children and this outsider woman had courage to stand and
hope for an exceptional/favored invitation to draw near to the Master.
My own mind
play a simlar role on me like those security guards at the concert, so do many in
good faith take upon themselves the responsibility to plan the affairs of the
Lord thinking that they are the ones who know what is acceptable and desirable
to Him.
Yet, to my
great joy and pleasure I know what those children and the outsider woman
understood before me. This powerful hero
who dared the religious scholars and teachers of the law to heal,
save, love and revive in his own time overruling the Sabbath; Satisfy the
thirst of a Samaritan ignoring the eternal debate of tribal desputes of who
worships God best.
The
unspoken secret was made known to the simple ones. The one who even the storm and the wind
at His beck and call (Mark 4:41), is more than willing and desiring to extend an
exceptional and favored backstage invitation
Today, I
know I am favored and precious. I am accepted and welcomed to the full
glory of The Almighty's very presence.
