The year was
1968, and I was a student at Southeastern Bible College, now Southeastern
University. (I could hardly have known that, one day, I would have the
privilege of teaching at this school).
I was
enrolled in a New Testament class, and my professor was a light-hearted English
woman named Ruth Breusch; (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. Breusch 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.
by William McDonald, PhD
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