Look, But Don't...!

Sometimes when looking at things in an expensive store or on exhibit in a museum, our eyes may behold items of wondrous beauty. However, next to those WONDERFUL THINGS our eyes may also behold a sign reading, "Look, But Don't Touch!" This reminds me of a museum that had an exhibit of old artifacts that would deteriorate simply by the touch of dirty or oily hands. Though a sign clearly warned against touching, touching happened. One wise employee finally posted a sign reading: "Warning! Wash Hands Thoroughly After Touching!" The touching stopped!

Though we may recognize a multitude of reasons for looking, but not touching -- accidental dropping and breaking of irreplaceable expensive items or deterioration due to too much handling, etc. -- perhaps there is a sadder action on the part of some today; a response that is really not new at all. Following His glorious triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus Himself encountered such a response even as He performed WONDERFUL THINGS.

On this occasion we read. . .
"(14) And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. (15) But when the chief priests and the scribes SAW THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT HE DID, and the children crying out in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" THEY WERE INDIGNANT," ( Matthew 21:14-15 ESV)

Here what we see is the action of "Look, But Don't Believe!" Reading through the Gospels we find on more than one occasion those who would not believe no matter what WONDERFUL SIGN they saw Jesus perform. Even Peter and John were met with the same kind of unbelievable disbelief in the face of the undeniable. (note Acts 4:16-18) Though Matthew tells us the Jewish leaders "saw the WONDERFUL THINGS" that Jesus did, "they were indignant"! Instead of being enthralled with His gracious act of mercy on a blind man, they were annoyed. Rather than being in awe of Jesus' power to restore sight, they were angry. Though their eyes saw, their hearts would just not accept even the possibility the power of the Father was working in and through Jesus; a sign intended to reveal Him as the Messiah and Son of God. ( John 14:11)

May we continually keep our eyes and hearts open to the realities of Jesus. Though it is claimed that "seeing is believing" it is obvious that is not always the case. Some will refuse to see regardless of the WONDERFUL THINGS revealed. However, for us to continue believing, we will be enabled to see all the more clearly the WONDERFUL THINGS the Lord will continue to bring to our life now and in our eternity with Him.

Have a great day TOUCHED BY CHRIST TO SEE MORE CLEARLY!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Receptiveness