9/6/10

Rebellion

I can't even begin to think of all the times I have seen things like this; people parking where they have no business parking. Outstanding among these are those who park in the handicapped spaces when it is obvious that they are 100% healthy. When you see this at the same time that you notice someone who is really handicapped struggling to enter a store, it makes my blood boil. How can people be so insensitive? How? Perhaps this passage from Luke may shed a little light on the subject...

Luke 10:1-20 (WEB)
1) Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place, where he was about to come.
2) Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.
3) Go your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
4) Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way.
5) Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’
6) If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.
7) Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Don’t go from house to house.
8) Into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you.
9) Heal the sick who are therein, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God has come near to you.’
10) But into whatever city you enter, and they don’t receive you, go out into its streets and say,
11) ‘Even the dust from your city that clings to us, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the Kingdom of God has come near to you.’
12) I tell you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.
13) “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
14) But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.
15) You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.
16) Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
17) The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
18) He said to them, “I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven.
19) Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.
20) Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
(Luke 10:1-20, WEB)

How could the people in verses 13 to 15 NOT LISTEN? Same answer as the parking question: because they didn't want to. Simple answer, with a lot behind it, in a little concept. Rebellion based on the exalted nature of ones self is the answer that comes to mind. Same thing happened in heaven: Satan thought just a bit (or maybe more than a bit) too much of himself. He took a lot of others with him and caused problems beyond measure. Rebellion is like that, it just doesn't care. So, when you see someone parking where they shouldn't, realize that they really don't care about others, only themselves. They (like those cities Jesus mentions [and Satan, of course]) will get their punishment in due time. Its just... there never seems to be a cop around when you need one. Patience, Gary... Patience!!!