Article November 1, 1969 Issue

Signs of the Times

John Oyer

Daily Gazette

The Reverend John Oyer in the Daily Gazette Rocky Ford, Colorado

Have you ever noticed how much of the ministry of Jesus took place "as he passed by"? Again and again we read of him healing, or teaching, or calling men to follow in a most casual . . . way. It would seem that Jesus just happened to be there, and noticing their need he met that need on the spot. Think of blind Bartimaeus on the road to Jericho, or the woman who touched the hem of his garment in the midst of a large crowd. Remember the Gadarean demoniac who lived in the cemetery until Jesus came along and made him well again . . . or the lame man at the pool of Bethesda . . .? So many times the ministry of Jesus was the result of a chance meeting while he was on the way to or from some other place.

Might it be that our best chances to help others will also come to us as we are going about our regular duties? Might we be missing many of our most significant opportunities to meet the needs of others just because we are in such a hurry to get where we are going at the moment? Could it be that our over-full schedule and well-planned attempts to be helpful actually get in the way of a deeply significant ministry to others?

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