OPERATION: RESCUE!

October 31, 2024

In recent weeks we have seen inspiring videos of heroes wading into Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters to rescue someone who is clinging to a tree or floating on debris. The rescuer risks life and limb to bring that person back to the riverbank – and we shout, clap, weep, and give thanks to God for the rescue.

Rescue is a recurring theme in the Gospels. Jesus’ great heart moved Him to wade into dangerous, unfriendly waters to bring drowning people back to God. Jesus often referred to these people as “sheep.” Lost, lonely, confused, imperiled sheep.

For instance, Matthew tells us that, once, when Jesus saw great crowds of people, He felt compassion for them because they reminded Him of [MATTHEW 9:37] “SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD.” It was for these sheep that Jesus came to earth.

One of our favorite stories is that of the shepherd who had one hundred sheep and went looking for the one who had strayed, leaving the ninety-nine to fend for themselves. (Matthew 18:12)

And we love the story about Jesus waiting for a Samaritan woman to show up to draw water from Jacob’s well. She was one of those “SHEEP” who had been rejected by her community. Jesus sought her out and offered her “LIVING WATER.” She, having been lost, was found by the amazing grace and love of Jesus. (See John 4)

Matthew records one my favorite lost-sheep-stories-by-a-different-name. It is the story of the party in Matthew’s house.

Matthew made his living working as a tax collector for the Romans who burdened the Jews with heavy taxes. Matthew most certainly would have been excluded from Jewish society. He would not have been welcomed at worship. He was far from God. A lost sheep.

But when Jesus saw Matthew sitting in the tax-collector’s office, “[Matthew 9:9] He said to him, “Follow Me!” And Matthew got up and followed Him.” Just like that!

What followed would have stunned a first-century reader.

Jesus went to a party at Matthew’s home. And, at this party were “MANY TAX COLLECTORS AND SINNERS.” Jesus was dining with these people. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day would not have approved of Jesus’ being at this party.

Some of those leaders heard about what was happening, went by the house, and asked Jesus’ disciples why their Teacher was eating with these notorious sinners.

Jesus, hearing the question asked of His disciples, answered it! His answer was exactly what we would have expected from One who so frequently went about rescuing lost sheep. Only in His answer, He changed the metaphor to speak of health.

[Matthew 9:12] “IT IS NOT THOSE WHO ARE HEALTHY WHO NEED A PHYSICIAN, BUT THOSE WHO ARE SICK.”

Jesus was the Physician who left the company of the healthy and made a beeline to the sick. Jesus was the Shepherd who left the ninety-nine and went after the one lost sheep.

WHAT A GIFT that this is the kind of Savior Jesus is. He is not aloof and removed. He took on flesh and became like us, in all ways except sin.

WHAT A WONDER that Jesus, like the heroes from Hurricane Helene, dived into the floodwaters to save us. He became the sacrificial Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world when He died on the cross.

AND WHAT AN HONOR that He has now enlisted us, His people, to follow in His steps in all ways…including His rescuing ways.

Having spent so much time in Hebrews in recent months, I have Hebrews on my mind a lot. On the theme of rescue, I am impressed that the author of Hebrews sees the body of Christ as a collective rescue team.

Specifically, we are to [HEBREWS 12:12] STRENGTHEN THE HANDS THAT ARE WEAK AND THE KNEES THAT ARE FEEBLE, [13] AND MAKE STRAIGHT PATHS FOR YOUR FEET, SO THAT THE LIMB WHICH IS IMPAIRED MAY NOT BE DISLOCATED, BUT RATHER BE HEALED.

Those hands and knees and feet represent people who have either gotten beat up by life, have suffered due to persecution, or who have strayed off the Jesus path.

As Chief Rescuer, Jesus has assigned each of us, individually, and all of us, together, to keep our eyes peeled for any weak hands or knees, and for any feet that have wandered away from faithfulness.

When you are at church on a Sunday or in a small group gathered for growing in Jesus, listen for a subtle cry for help. Watch for signs of weakness.

In your quiet moments alone, see if God doesn’t bring to mind someone who is struggling.

As you become aware of weakness and need, wade out to that person and drag them back to shore. Remember the initiative that Jesus took to rescue you and take the initiative to help the struggler.

We have been rescued. Now, let’s rescue.

Yours…His,

Dave