When People Suddenly Appear
One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy (Luke 14.1-2).
MAIN POINT: God brings hurting people into our perfectly arranged lives to reveal His heart of compassion.
Luke’s word “behold” suggests surprise—as if this suffering man suddenly materialized in the middle of a religious gathering. The Pharisees had everything arranged: the right day (Sabbath), the right place (a ruler’s house), the right people (teachers of the Law). Yet God’s agenda included someone they hadn’t planned for—a man with a painful, debilitating condition.
This pattern continues today. We make our plans, arrange our schedules, and set our priorities. Then “behold”—a coworker mentions depression, a neighbor faces financial crisis, a family member struggles with addiction. These aren’t interruptions to our Christian life; they’re invitations to live it out. Like the Pharisees, we’re tempted to see these moments as disruptions to our religious routine. But Jesus shows us that these “sudden appearances” are opportunities to demonstrate God’s love.
When someone in pain crosses your path today, don’t see it as an inconvenience. See it as God bringing you face to face with His heart for the hurting. The question isn’t whether we have time for compassion—it’s whether we recognize these divine appointments when they come.
Application: These aren’t interruptions to our Christian life; they’re invitations to live it out. Who has God placed in your path that needs His love today?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, open my eyes to see the hurting people You place in my path today. Help me respond with Your compassion rather than my convenience. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Responses