THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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A man had a car wreck and one of the large muscles in his leg was cut. When the surgeon sewed it back together, and the man healed, he had to walk with a limp.
Later he went to large medical institution to see if the problem could be corrected. A doctor came in with a class of medical students. The doctor examined the patient, then explained the situation to the class. Then he asked, "Ok, students, someone tell me what you would do in this situation."
After a few moments of quiet, one student raised his hand. The doctor said, "Yes, Mike, what would you do?"
Mike said, "If it were me, I'd LIMP!"
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Judg 11:1-9
1 Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.
2 And Gilead's wife bare him sons; and his wife's sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou art the son of a strange woman.
3 Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.
4 And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel.
5 And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob:
6 And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.
7 And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father's house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?
8 And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore we turn again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.
9 And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head?
(KJV)
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This is one of my favorite Bible stories because it represents our relationship with Christ.
Jephthah was the illegitimate son of Gilead, but his father brought him home to be raised with the other brothers. When Gilead died, the other brothers kicked him out of the family.
Jephthah went into the wilderness, and raised an army. He used his skills of fighting to earn a living fighting against the enemies of Gilead. Then, one day, the family of Gilead got into trouble, and were LIMPING because they couldn't defeat the enemy themselves. So they called on Jephthah to come and deliver them.
Jephthah's question: "If I come and fight your battle, and win for you, will you make me your KING?"
This is exactly the problem with every human being. We are all sinners, and cannot defeat the enemy ourselves. My! How ODIOUS we must appear when we come LIMPING to Christ for HELP!
But Christ only has ONE question for us. "If I fight your battle and win, will you make me your KING?"
Here's an important conclusion to the story:
In order for Jesus to be our Savior, He must first be our LORD and KING!
Jesus cannot lead anyone to heaven if they will not be willing to FOLLOW!
Today, remember that sin has crippled you. In order to be saved from the presence, power and penalty of sin, we must come to Christ and allow Him to become Lord of all that we are.
Love ya,
Bruce