Don't Do It Without Me 2024

Those listening to the discussion are all wondering with the Holy Trinity who would volunteer for the task at hand. No one raises their hand. No one steps forward. No one seems ready and able to take on this challenge. As they ponder the task at hand, God asks, “Who shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Can you see the consternation or dismay on the face of the Father as He ponders who would go and complete the work? Can you imagine what it feels like to see work that needs to be done but no one stepping forward to do it? Can you see the Father looking at someone asking, “Will you go?” and the person turning their head in shame? Can you see Him looking out amongst the members of Strangers Rest hoping someone would volunteer and no one comes forward? Can you imagine what the Holy Trinity is thinking knowing that what needs to be done in Strangers Rest requires that a person be willing to do it and no one wants the job? As the Father ponders this, all of a sudden from the back of the room comes a shout. Someone decides that if no one else would come forward he would. Isaiah says, “Here am I. Send me!” Can you see the smiles that come over the Holy Trinity as someone steps forward to take on a monumental work that no one else wanted? Can you see this? Is that person you? Isaiah was saying, “Lord, whatever you are doing in this season, don’t do it without me!” Are you saying that this morning? Do you have a desire to raise your hand to be singled out for the work at hand or do you want to be amongst the crowd and just mingle in so you can’t be seen or called upon? Do you want to be a part of what God is doing in this season?

There is a story in the New Testament that exemplifies what I am talking about this morning. Turn with me to Luke chapter nineteen and we are going to read about a man named Zaccheus. I want you to see an example of what it looks like to want to be involved; to be in the midst; to see Jesus at work. We will begin reading at the verse one. “(1) Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. (2) Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. (3) And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.” (Luke 19:1-3) Jesus was passing through Jericho and there was a crowd of people around Him. While there were many in the crowd following Jesus, not everyone could see Him. I want you to see this.

If you have ever attended a parade and stood on the sideline you did your best to find a place where you could see the parade. The best spot would always be right on the front line. If you had 5-6 people standing in front of you then you would not be on the front line but in the middle. At that point if you were average height (or like those standing in front of you) you could see most of the floats in the parade by looking up as they went by. However, you could not see as clearly those walking in the parade because they would be at eye level. In this situation you would have two choices: move to a place where you could see better or just wait for the next float to pass by. Your decision would be based on why you were there. If you were there just to be a part of the celebration, then actually seeing the parade would not necessarily be as important to you because you were enjoying the moment with friends and family. This is how some people attend Church – they attend to just be a part of the worship experience. But, if you had a child in the parade and you were there to support them, you would do whatever was necessary to find a place where you could see your child and they could see you. In the first situation it did not matter if you saw the parade. In the second situation seeing the parade was all that mattered. Thus was the case with Zacchaeus.