COCOONED
Scripture Reading: Luke 19: 1- 9
Closing Hymn # 573 1’11 go where you want me to go
INTRODUCTION
Have you noticed, there are fewer butterflies than before? I remember the time when everywhere you look you could see butterflies: butterflies of various shades and colours: yellow, brown, green, white and even multicoloured ones. Nowadays one can hardly see any. Yet caterpillars seem to be present in abundance.
Just the other day I was inspecting a tree and to my surprise the leaves were filled with holes. This tree had an abundance of caterpillars. I could not help but wonder how come there were so many caterpillars but so few butterflies.
This led me to examine the life cycle of a butterfly. I found out that the cycle started by the laying of an egg by the adult butterfly. This egg hatches and a larva is produced.
The larva is called the caterpillar. After some time the caterpillar becomes a pupa and is wrapped up in a cocoon. Eventually it comes out of the cocoon as a beautiful butterfly. The conversion of a sinner can be likened to a similar process.
Caterpillars can be compared to men under the influence of Satan. They only desire is to fulfill their need even if it means the destruction of whatever is in their path. The butterfly however, can be likened onto men after they have been converted by the Holy Spirit. They bring with them a sense of beauty and wonderment. Rather than destruction they bring life to the earth by helping to pollinate the plant’s flowers so that fruit can be produced.
Then they are the pupa of the butterfly which lie in a cocoon and does nothing. These are those whom the Holy Spirit have touched but would not allow the Holy Spirit to do his full work. They do not bring destruction neither do they bring joy.
To which do you liken yourself? Are you a caterpillar? Are enclosed in a cocoon or are you a butterfly?
LET US PRAY
Mark 5:22 -24 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
Jairus was in a sad state, his daughter was ill and he had to leave her side. Where were all the well wishers. Where were all the concerned friends who wanted the best for his daughter. So often the words “I hope she gets better” are merely words pronounced with the tongue but they are complete strangers to the heart. People do not have the time to care. It is easier to say a few flowery words that to allow your heart to become involved.
Some people adopt the attitude, ‘well life goes on,’ people are still getting married, babies are being born, parties are being held. The world will not stop for you!! The world will not stop but the child of God must!!
Jairus could have used a sincere community service’s person. Some one who would take on the burden of going to fetch Jesus, allowing him to remain by his daughter’s side. Someone who could empathized with him and feel his pain so that his urgency would be their urgency. His pain would be their pain. But there was no one. It is times like these that a butterfly can make a big difference!!
Remember Martha and Mary, they did not have to go to fetch Jesus, someone was willing to go for them.
In John 11:1-3 ¶Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
What amazes about the Jairus account is that there was no one willing to fetch Jesus while the daughter was alive but there was someone to bring the message that she had passed away. The bible tells us in Mk.5:35
35 ¶While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
That someone was able to run ahead to tell him do not bother the master. Where was this guy when he needed someone to go and fetch the master? Was it that mush easier to be the bearer of bad news than to be the one who sought the help that was needed?
We do not need men and women like this in times like these when the caterpillars are causing destruction all over the world; We need people who will act to stem the tide of violence, crime and abuse. We need men and women who would be there to comfort the aching heart and bring solace to a downtrodden soul. There too many persons suffering for us to sit idly by and do nothing:
Mothers are losing their sons and daughters.
Children are losing their parents;
Their brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles.
What appears to be sensational news on the television or newspaper is a tragedy for some family.
Some where someone is in tears.
Somewhere someone is grieving.
Look around, too many people are seeking some one to talk to but can find no one. Too many people are looking for someone to hold their hand,
Offer some measure of comfort- but there is no one
Too many people are looking to find someone, someone who they can trust;
Someone to understand them;
to appreciate them for who they are — but there is no one.
In the mean time the newspaper has a field day as it feeds on the tragedy of others. Men and women eagerly purchase the papers to read about the latest catastrophe or the latest road fatality. To them it’s news that’s all, but to others it is a reality they have to live with. It is a memory that is burned into the neurons of their brain. A memory which when recalled will always be accompanied by a sense of lost and at times the flowing of tears. In the mean time life goes on but scars mark the time.
Every man feels secure in his own cocoon. Protected from the horrors of the world outside of his glass case, or so he thinks. He looks out as if looking into an aquarium believing that he is safe.
Within their cocoon, men and women look on without becoming intimately or emotionally involved. Tragedy no longer evokes any real sentiments, it is just news. Another person dead! Another massacre, another disaster! Compassion is foreign and empathy is unknown! Just another statistic! The family stands alone! Life goes on! Cocooned.
At times to stifle the voice of the Holy Spirit a cold hand reaches beyond the borders of the cocoon to offer some type of assistance but the heart stays far away, in a remote corner. It must not be touched. Duty finished the hand is withdrawn with a sigh of relief. Too glad that it is over! The Good Samaritan was not like that : lk.10:33-35
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Luke 10:33 - Luke 10:35 (KJV)
The Good Samaritan when to the limit to ensure that the gentleman was taken care of. He was even willing to expense himself to ensure that the job was done and done well. He was not too quick to rid himself of the load or responsibility of taking care of wound guy. Neither was Jesus. After being told that the girl was now dead, this could have been the perfect excuse for Jesus to leave the scene but Jesus knew he could do more. And he told Jairus do not worry, bring me to the damsel.
The question is; how often do we relinquish the reigns of responsibility before asking ourselves can we do more? How often are we so relieve to see a door of escape to get away from the burden of care that God has brought our way? If there is a time for people to genuinely care it is now!! These are the times when iniquity abounds
Jesus speaking about these times in Matt. 24:12 said:
[Matt. 24:12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold
Men have opted to enclose themselves in a shield of insularity in order to preserve themselves from being hurt. Men are refusing to stand witness to crimes they observe. Persons are refusing to respond to cries for help. Every man to his own! Because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold!! The problem is the colder it gets the more iniquity will abound! !
Paul describes our situation in this manner: 2 Tim.3:4, 5
[2Tim. 3:12 Men will be.. Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof; from such turn away
Yes men will be going to church, professing Christianity and refusing to take a stand, refusing to reach out and help some one in need! Refusing to move out of their cocoon.
Our God is personal God . He treats us special and a he expects us to treat others special as well. We must never allow ourselves to become enclosed in a shield of insularity. We should always be ready to lend a helping hand or listening ear to whoever may need it. We have to be like the butterfly going from flower to flower spreading good news of Jesus Christ, and bringing life to a dying world. We have to let the people know there is another way to conduct business. Jesus leaves us no excuse: Matt. 24:13 states
Matt. 24:13] But he that shall endure to the end the same shall be saved.
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Cold hands just won’t do. God expects warm loving hands to be extended to the people of this world that they may be exposed to the love of God and be converted.
Cocooning ourselves cannot save us, we are saved, when we like butterflies brave the catchers net and spread the love of Jesus all around. We need only fear, if we forget the God we are serving. Love must endure to the end.
Jesus never dealt with people from a distant. He took a personal interest in each person. He did not just look at the physical being but he took an interest in the person as a whole, recognizing their needs and filling them. Despite the dangers he was constantly exposed to and hurt which he knew he would have to experience, he never cocooned himself. He never stopped loving.
So too we as butterflies must go to every flower because each flower has the potential to bear fruit. We should see in people, not just a physical body, but person with thoughts, dreams and emotions. Too often we look at persons who appear different because of dress and we some how believe they cannot think, they have no dreams or aspirations. If only we would take the time to talk with them we may just discover a different story. We must see all men as soul that Jesus died for. Be aware that that person may have be sent your way just to awaken you to the sort of person you are!
Brothers and sisters we need to change. We need to be make ourselves more available to those who need us. God is calling us to spend, spend
more time in his prescence,
more time in his word,
more time fellowshipping with his people
so that all of us will be able to
Break out of the cocoon of self-preservation,
Break out of the cocoon of pride and prejudice
Break out of the cocoon of self love
Break out of the cocoon of hatred and avarice
And become a beautiful butterfly going from flower to flower, spreading the good news of the Gospels and bringing cheer to some troubled soul.
