Dead man walking

If only I could heal the sick and raise the dead! Then surely, surely, people would see the truth and worship God! 

 Really?

 John 11 describes the raising of Lazarus, after being dead for 4 days. A great story, but so what? Doesn't happen today. Can't happen today. 

 Really?

On March 17, 2012, Fabrice Muamba, the Bolton midfielder, collapsed on the football pitch at White Hart Lane, during the FA Cup match between Tottenham Hotspurs and Bolton. In the UK, we followed this story with fascination on the news wires and social networks, where there were numerous appeals for prayer for Fabrice. Days later, we heard the news that he was astonishingly dead for 78 minutes! Doctors acknowledge that it is a miracle that he survived.

Medical science tells us that it takes only 5-6 minutes of oxygen deprivation for there to be brain damage. Doctors acknowledge that it is a miracle that Fabrice has no side effects.

For more, see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2133303/Fabrice-Muamba--interview-How-I-came-dead.html

There is little doubt in the minds of Fabrice and his family that God saved his life. That God raised him from the dead. What has been the public response? Over the last week or so, tribute has been paid to Fabrice and the medical staff, during recent football games at the Reebok Stadium (Bolton's home ground) and Wembley Stadium. The fans have stood and applauded. How many of those fans have given tribute to God? More importantly, how many of those fans have sought Jesus as their saviour after Fabrice has been raised from the dead? How many of the thousands of people who followed this story in the news have even considered the relevance of God in their lives after observing an event that has been simply called "a miracle"?

How can miracles not inspire people to search for the face of God?

Revelations 16 describes the 7 bowls of wrath that will be poured out on the earth in the last days. What is striking for me is that people will curse God, instead of repenting and accepting him as their Saviour.

I always wondered - how can this be? Surely, in the face of God's hand being clearly shown, people would repent instead of rebel? We have evidence this week that miracles by themselves will not soften people's hearts and open their eyes.

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)

Jesus did not mention miracles, but told us to go out and share, baptise and teach. I guess Jesus knew something we still find hard to understand. When Lazarus was raised from the dead, the Pharisees plotted to kill Jesus and Lazarus, instead of believe in Jesus.

Miracles have their place, and praise God for that, but dead men walking do not substitute for the work we are commissioned to do. Go and make disciples.

Peace and Love.