Interrupted 2

My children are all in their teens at the moment. One in college and working, one in high school and part-time college, and one in Junior High. When they were younger, not too long ago, I was frequently woke up in the middle of the night by one of them. As loud as they were during the day, they had a stealth mode they would turn on for night time. Many times I would open my eyes to see one of them standing next to my bed, staring at me. That usually meant I need to sit up, but if I was taking NyQuil, that meant I was startled and frankly a little creeped out. That’s when you hear the normal— “I had a bad dream, I can’t sleep, Can I sleep with you, I don’t feel good…” My reply varied due to the circumstance. Some of the time it was “Go back to bed”, or
“no”, or “run to the toilet now!” It really hasn’t been that long ago… and now my evenings are quieter. I didn’t realize how precious those moments were in the moment itself. Now, I miss it. They rarely disturb me, and one day won’t even be in my house to disturb me. My youngest is nearly my height now, making our hugs different, but still palpable— things have changed! In reality, I already miss the interruptions. Looking back, I should’ve been embracing those interruptions.

Continuing our focus on Matthew 9.9-26, interruptions are a natural part of life. Instead of seeing them as difficulties maybe we need to embrace them, and see in them, God’s sovereignty. Jesus has just finished calling Matthew to be His disciple as we discovered last time, ate with this former traitor’s friends, and impacted them all. As they were eating, some of the elites challenged Jesus on His personal standards by eating with these less-than-noble publicans and sinners. How rude to interrupt the Savior while he’s eating, much less doing so in front of the people they are criticizing! So we have yet another interruption. Jesus answers them by explaining the real need is in the heart and everyone in that room needed some spiritual heart surgery done. At least the publicans and sinners recognized they were in need. The interruptions didn’t stop. To me, this next further interruption is one of the funniest moments in the life of Christ. When you compare Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s account of this, you will find that the elites and the disciples of John, both challenged Jesus and his disciples about…fasting. Of all things to bring up in the middle of a feast, at someone else’s house, while you have downed the host and his friends?! This cracks me up— ‘Why are you not fasting…while you are eating?’. Simply ridiculous. I suppose some interruptions are still just interruptions. Not for Jesus! He took the opportunity to school them a little further. Please read this text to see the fuller picture and answers He gave. [You’re welcome to email me at pastor@highlandfamily.org if you have any questions.] 

Now we find ourself in verse 18— “While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.” There was a little girl who was in a grave state and her father implored Jesus to come. We are told that a large crowd of the curious followed Jesus. Again, focus on this— a father desperate for his daughter in need, and that’s what mattered to Jesus. In the midst of challenges, questions, and teachings, Jesus never lost sight of the most important things… people. 

Christ here is taking time to stop and teach people, and answer the ridiculousness of the Pharisees at the same time. Talking about layered interruptions! Now he is interrupted by a desperate dad. For me, when I am ‘busy’ about my day working, I would rather not be interrupted by people. It has a tendency to make me frustrated. Therefore this passage speaks to me in a convicting tone. Our lesson from the Savior here is: to drop and go when people need you. People are our ministry, not projects. Who you work with is more important than the work you do. The people at the checkout are more important that checking out. Souls matter. Souls matter more than things. Why? Because souls are eternal. 

People need you when they need you… be available. Jesus didn’t put this man off. He didn’t brush him off. He didn’t say— ‘Well, when I’m through here I’ll be right with you.’ Instead, He got up and followed the man to his house. Maybe you are thinking what I was thinking… some people are really good about stealing your time for needless jibber jabber. It’s true. There are people that can drain your spirit and your time. Maybe comparing the Gospels together will help you see the difference in this interruption. As you compare you will find that this man’s name is “Jairus” (Luke 8.41) and his daughter is “at the point of death” (Mark 5.23). That’s a little more than ‘blowing things out of proportion’. We also find out she is his only daughter; she’s 12 years of age. We see his desperation also. The account in Luke says he was a “ruler of the synagogue”, and yet “fell down at Jesus’ feet”. He was desperate and broken. Does that paint the picture for you a little better? 

How do you know if the person ‘interrupting’ you is a pest or a potential divine appointment? How do you know if this is a messenger of God; this God wanting you to be a messenger; or a messenger from Satan to distract? Simple answer is— you don’t know. Jesus allowed for the interruption of the crazy, insulting, minuscule questions of the disciples of John and the Pharisees. He also left the table as soon as this dad asked for help. I suppose we are to just roll with the punches, get in the middle of it, and allow the Spirit to guide us as we wade into the waters. 

In Matthew 16.24 Jesus sets the stage for our life as disciples— “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” The secret is denying yourself. It isn’t your time anyway! It isn’t your plans anyway! It isn’t your design you’re working on. Deny that urge to be selfish with your time, money, family, and goods. Did not Christ give everything for you? In fact, at salvation, James 1.17 says— “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” He gave all of that to you… and yet we selfishly hold it in when Christ wants to use it for others. 

We are His agents on a mission. Too often we look at an interruption as some infringement on our rights. What rights does a servant have? Hudson Taylor once said— “I used to ask God if He would come and help me. Then I asked if I could come and help Him. Finally I ended by asking God to do His own work through me.” 

Denying ourselves means to be available, not stingy with our time, our talent, and our gifts. Jesus acted in verse 19— “And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.” Time to act believer! Time to step up to the big leagues and allow for interruptions. Time to focus on what’s important. What’s important isn’t the pipe in your hand, the paper that needs filing, or the procedures you have to follow today… it’s the people God has put in your path today… on purpose.