Controversial Topics
Have you ever been in a debate conversation when controversial topics came up? Often, trusting friends know they can do this for sport of it. These conversations are not done with malice, but only are focused on stretching of one’s mind or opinion. I overheard such a conversation.
“What is the most powerful passage or verse in the Bible?”
The listening person offered his opinion. “How about Mark 10:46-52, specifically verse 51?”
Huh?
He didn’t say John 3:16. Nor did he say Psalms 23. But he stressed the passage in Mark 10. It didn’t immediately come to me, so I looked it up on my phone. If it doesn’t immediately come to you, here it is in the New International Version (NIV):
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Afterward
After I got home I pondered my choice of the most powerful verse. I pulled out my study Bible, looked up the passage, and re-read it. This time, with an urgency. What was so special about Mark 10:46-52?
What's so special about Mark 10:46-52?
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That’s when I saw what had been referred to earlier. As I read these verses with a hungry heart, I saw:
A broken person seeking God for answersWhen Jesus was near, his shouting became intenseAlthough he was told to quiet down, his ache for Jesus grewJesus heard his plea and called him closeEven blind, he jumped and went to JesusJesus asked for this man’s need and the beggar answeredThe man gained his sight, then followed Jesus.My eyes were opened, too
How amazing scripture can be when we read it through our brokenness. That’s the beginning of our journey. And even in our blindness, we can run to Him for what we need. While our needs may be many, the first and greatest need we have is to be able to see Him and our need for what He can heal us from.
After pondering their conversation, I saw the wisdom. First, these two appreciated and respected one another to risk being different. That’s huge. Additionally, they recognized the power in brokenness is unmeasurable. That’s huge as well.
How amazing scripture can be when we read it through our brokenness.
If embracing controversial topics are challenging, don’t shy away from them. You may be surprised where they take you.
What say you?
What do you wonder about? Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.
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