“Who is this Man?”

This morning, I was reading “Who is this Man?  The unpredictable Impact of the Inescapable Jesus” by John Ortberg.  A refreshing sort of sermonette putting the life of Jesus in story form, drawing out challenges to the reader.  How do I live my life when confronted by this man Jesus.  In writing about sacrifice Ortberg brought up Father Damien, a familiar name to me…and once again I was challenged and encouraged by this Catholic Saint.

“Another follower of Jesus became known as Father Damien.  A Belgian priest, he worked in Hawaii in the nineteenth century and created a place where lepers could be loved and cared for.  He used to tell them every week, ‘God loves you lepers.’  And then one week he got up and he said,’God loves us lepers.’  He died from leprosy.”

What am I doing with my life, what sacrifices am I making to reach those on this earth who are lost, hurting, sick, needy, downtrodden…Would I die to serve them?

Challenging indeed.

Lord I pray today that you would challenge all of us who are your followers here on Earth.  Wake us up and burden our hearts to be willing to give everything we are to see your kingdom come and your will be done….to see the blind given sight, the sick finding care, the naked clothed and the hungry fed.  Jesus I am not praying in general.  I am asking that for each one of us, you would show us something very specific that we can put our hands too…show me what sacrifice I can make for you!  In your name I pray, Amen.

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One Comment on ““Who is this Man?”

  1. II have visited Molokai where Father Damien cared For the Lepers .there are a few Lepers left there and as they die off the area will be made into a National Park. Father Damien was an exceptional caring Priest. Loved God and the Lepers. We all need to have his faith.

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