Barrel of monkeys
Did you ever have or play the game Barrel of Monkeys?
The game is simple. You pour out the barrel full of plastic monkeys on the table. Each plastic monkey has hooks for hands. Players hold one arm of a monkey and use the other arm to build a chain of monkeys, one at a time. The intent is to make the chain as long as you can.
“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
John 19:30 NKJV
The fact of the matter is, the war is over as Jesus said “It is finished!” Once and for all the atonement for our sins was made through Jesus The Son of God.
“Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Luke 10:2 NKJV
Our job, our mission is a mop job to rescue as many as we can. We are the laborers wading out into the harvest of humanity to rescue and recover.
Jesus said:
““What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?”
Luke 15:4 NKJV
Reaching the “lost” is our primary mission.
“And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”
Luke 15:5-7 NKJV
In the bible, there’s a story about a tax collector named Zacchaeus. In biblical times, tax collectors were despised and considered to be some of the worst sinners, selfishly making money from whoever they wanted.
“Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.”
Luke 19:2-3 NKJV
“So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.””
Luke 19:4-5 NKJV
Zacchaeus encountered Jesus' kindness and later in this story, Zacchaeus says:
“Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.””
Luke 19:8 NKJV
Jesus replies:
“And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.””
Luke 19:9-10 NKJV
As Christians we are called to be like Christ. We are called to love, forgive and accept those who are lost. To search for and rescue the lost sheep and bring them into the fold. We are called to plant the seeds of salvation and introduce people to Jesus.
We are called to leave no one behind, just like Jesus did to Zacchaeus! For many of us, it would have been so easy to overlook Zacchaeus (literally and socially) but Jesus shows us a great example of how we can make sure no one gets left behind - even the most unpopular person.
Just like in the Barrel of Monkeys game we are called to reach out to the lost, pull them out of their present situation and lift them up. There is a great quote from the movie Backdraft where two firefighters are hanging over a huge hole in the floor of a burning building and below them the next floor is engulfed in flames.
The hero has one hand holding onto a steel beam and the other hand is holding onto the other fireman as they dangle above the raging inferno. The hero (Kurt Russell) says “If you go, we go”!
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
John 3:16-17 NKJV
Our job is to hold on! Hold on to Jesus and reach out with our other hand and rescue others. Jesus will Never let go!
We must bring the good news of Jesus and how He is the hope of the world. So, I encourage you to step out in faith and make His Name known during times where there is a loss of hope.
Be the guiding light that brings people out of the darkness. We know our God, and we trust in Him wholeheartedly because we know He has gone before us and that His love never fails.
During times of uncertainty, we must remember that God holds us in His hands, He will protect us and therefore we need not be fearful or afraid.
“Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.”
Psalms 73:23 NKJV
And:
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;”
Psalms 46:1-2 NKJV
Lord, thank You for being our immovable rock in a changing landscape. You are constant and You are good especially when our circumstances are inconsistent and uncertain. We depend on You.
We proclaim the Truth of Your Word over our lives and into the lives of others. We look to You for provision and peace. Help us to share the Hope we have in You to a world seeking the truth.
Give us the opportunity and strength to reach out and rescue as many as we are able for the Glory of Your Kingdom in Jesus Name - Amen
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
In Jesus Name - Amen
- Pastor Doug
