An Apologetic That Feels
While reading this evening I came across this story that I thought was wonderful, so of course I have to post it here to share with you all.
How well do we know the hurts of those we say we love?
Shawn
There is a story of a rabbi sitting in his study, when his reading is interrupted by a knock on the door.To say we love someone as Christ did without knowing them beyond the surface level does a disservice to that person and makes our message ring hollow. I'm guessing that the reason Jesus had such compassion for the people when he saw them was because he saw, and knew, what is was that hurt in each of them. He knew the hurts of the woman at the well, of the woman caught in adultery, of the demoniac at the graveyard, and he knows my hurts.
"Come in."
It was one of his students who was so grateful for his teacher he simply had to come and tell him.
"I just wanted you to know, Rabbi, how much I love you."
The rabbi put down his book and looked over his glasses.
"What hurts me?"
The student looked at him quizzically. "What?"
"What hurts me?" the rabbi asked again.
The boy stood there, speechless, finally shrugging his shoulders. "I don't know."
"How can you love me," the rabbi asked, "if you don't know what hurts me?"
How well do we know the hurts of those we say we love?
Shawn
posted by Shawn White | 6/22/2006 09:39:00 PM
5 Comments:
Oh my goodness! What a great story! That is so true. One of the saddest things I've experienced in the church family is the shallowness that defines many of the relationships there. Sometimes you can feel alone though surrounded by people who claim to love you.
Of course, because we are afraid of being hurt, we sometimes put up walls that keep people from getting to know us. I know I've been guilty of this at times.
To be the real family of God, I believe we must take our relationships with each other to a deeper level. After all, "they will know we are Christians by or love", right?
Thanks for sharing that wonderful message today, Shawn.
Thanks for the comments. It's true that we often build barriers and defense mechanisms to keep people out. I'm encouraged that I am not obliged to let every member in the body be that close. Even Christ had an inner-group of friends that were allowed access to his more intimate moments.
Shawn
Great comments Elizabeth and Shawn - I wholly agree. One thing I feel about the church family is that while I may 'claim' to love all my brothers and sisters in Christ, probably what I mean is that I 'want' to love all of my church family - by that, I mean really get to know on personal level and develop relationships. Obviously, it's impractical to develop these relationships with everyone in the church, but a select few will go a long way to making the church family a vital part of an individuals life.
I think this is really what's good about the Small Groups - it helps to develop the relationships - two hours on Sunday really doesn't cut it. As relationships become more intimate, the walls come down and the true love of Christ bubbles into those relationships. Hurts and confessions can come out and it's as if Jesus is sitting right next to you - it's a pretty awesome design.
As this relates to Apologetics, I think this is where I'm really missing something. I work at home, so it's rare that I'm ever in a position to share my faith with someone that I know - or have a relationship with.
that's alright man - i really want to start up the "Conversational" thing we talked about. i was thinking after we go through the "Defending Your Faith" study then we will test out the new skills in a live environment.
but trust me - the things Koukl teaches really works, i use his methodology all the time in talking to people and it makes it so much easier in pointing out the truth and helping to guide people along.
shawn
Good story. This is the "knowing" one another that is intimate. It also asks questions like; what inspires me; what makes me angry; what scares me; what gives me hope?; etc.
To your point Shawn, not sure how practical it is for this to happen with everyone in the church (especially the larger churches), but it certainly is something we should be open and striving for with someone.
I feel I have this with my wife (Elizabeth) and only a handful of others. It is the authenticity and genuineness that gets it going after personality and shared interest/experience gets it started.
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