Condemned to Die. Destined to Live

Thirty years ago when my wife and I regularly traveled to Jacksonville once a month to do the recreational dad thing with my children, we often visited St. Augustine for the weekend. One day we decided to tour the Flagler Museum. We walked past mummies, the desk of Napolean’s uncle, and such stuff as that. But on one wall hung a painting unlike anything I’d ever seen. My daughter, Mary, stood transfixed with her mouth open, staring at it.

For right there in front of God and everybody, hung the visage of an old man, and a young woman,… her blouse open. While the old man suckled at her bosom, the young lady appeared frightened and her gaze lingered on a dark wooden door a few feet away.

Obviously, we were stunned, and as much as we felt compelled to go, we felt compelled to stay. In spite of this somewhat R-rated exhibit, and the presence of the children, we lingered and began to read the description beneath it.

It seems that in a faraway land during the medieval times, whether true or fictional, I know not, and for some unknown crime, an old man was sentenced to death. His manner of execution? He would be denied sustenance of any kind, except for water… and would experience a slow and excruciating death.

The old man was allowed but one visitor. And on a daily basis, his daughter dutifully came. Unknown to his jailer, and much to the good fortune of her father, Margaret happened to be a… nursing mother. And now you know at the least the beginning of the rest of the story.

Though altogether unconventional, Margaret offered that life-giving supply of nourishment to her father on a daily basis. Not only did the old man not die, but his tired old frame began to fill out, and his cheeks became downright rosy.

Of course the warden and jailer never learned their secret, and after a substantial amount of time on what they thought was a diet of water, all the while the old man grew healthier, and he was released to return home.

A miracle was thought to have occurred, and the old man was celebrated far and wide.

And though this must be one of the most bizarre stories I have ever heard, who can deny but that the results were positive. A condemned man, but for the love and courage of his daughter would have died.

Condemned to Die. Destined to Live.

I have often taught the principal of what I refer to as "Momentary Ministry;" that is, the notion that we should be available on a moment's basis to come along side someone in need. And while our "coming along side" may not be as dramatic or unusual as the illustration in the foregoing story, we are all confronted with momentary and unexpected circumstances in which we are given an opportunity to make a difference in the life of another human being.

We may consider such an occasion as this a momentary event, or "a shot out of the blue," but our Lord knew such an opportunity would present itself

...before He made the worlds.

I, for one, wish to make myself available to help the hurting and give hope to the helpless.

I hope you will join me in this worthy endeavor.
 

 By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "Concepts, Teachings, Practicalities & Stories"