GETTING UP FROM THE OPERATING TABLE

A minister with whom I work recently made a statement which registered with me.

“Some people (figuratively) lay down on the operating table, and get up and walk away before the operation is finished.”

(and)

“Can you imagine if real-life patients did something like this?”

In terms of the spiritual condition of many believers, I think no one ever shared a story which rang truer than one of my old Bible college professors, and which is so reminiscent of Brother Jim’s statement about someone getting up from the operating table.

I once recounted that story.

The year was 1968, and I was a student at one of several denominational bible colleges; in central Florida.

I was enrolled in a New Testament class, and my professor was a light-hearted English woman named Ruth Breush; (who interestingly enough was married to a light-hearted Australian man named Percy Breusch).

If I live to be a 103, I will never forget one day in particular. Mrs. Breush began the class with, to say the least, an unusual story.

“Last night I had a dream. In the dream I was somehow transported to heaven. And I stood beneath the throne of none other than our Lord Jesus Christ.

His brown eyes were piercing to behold. Every strand of His auburn hair was in place. His countenance was radiant. And then,

… then I looked downward.

And what I saw horrified me. For you see, His chest was sunken. His arms were emaciated. Every rib shown through His parchment skin.

And then it occurred to me.

… The Body of Christ.

While the Head is fine and wonderful to behold, thank you, the Body is unhealthy, and in need of attention.”

Christ’ Body. His believers on earth, at least a great many of them, leave much to be desired.

Fickleness, In-fighting, Temptations, Immaturity, Abject Sin.

As scripture reminds us. “These things ought not to be.”

I have often wondered if I am, by chance, my professor’s last surviving student who has recalled and passed on this story to the generation who will follow after me.

If so, I count it a distinct calling, honor and responsibility to do so.

Too many Christians come to a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, live, and ultimately die, as if they had jumped up from the operating table shortly after the operation began.

by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright pending