Trying to make the best of the situation, he lit his lamp and began to read for the Scriptures.  Soon a violent wind arose and repeatedly blew out the lamp-- it seems unfair that God would not at least protect the lamp so that the simple rabbi could read the Scriptures.

 

Well, unable to read in the darkness, the rabbi reclined against the wall and tried to go to sleep.  His rest was soon disturbed, however, by the nearby roar of a lion.  He looked over the wall just in time to see the lion dragging his slaughtered donkey into the underbrush.

 

The rabbi was overwhelmed with distress, grief, and a sense of self-pity.  He tried praying to God, but his prayers were hindered by the many complaints and

embittered feelings which kept going through his mind... sound like each of us, sometimes?  Finally, exhausted, the rabbi fell into a deep sleep.

 

The next morning when he awoke, he left the shelter of his wall only to discover a shocking sight.  On the streets of the village lay the mutilated bodies of the villagers--slain by a vicious band of marauders who had descended from the hills during the night.

 

It was only then that the rabbi began to understand.  If the villagers had received him, he also would have been killed.  If the wind had not repeatedly blown out his lamp, the attacker would have noticed the light and discovered him.  If the lion had not killed and dragged away his donkey, its presence might have given him away.  He had learned a valuable lesson:  Sometimes great gain comes from great loss!

 

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, may the Holy Spirit inspire us, and empower us, so that we are willing to take up our crosses and follow Christ.   Whatever sacrifices we make in time, money, or other resources, much more will come of it in blessings if we trust and obey.

 

Today let us rededicate ourselves to gathering together often within worship here at St. Peter's.  May we reconsider what we are willing to give up so that we might give more to the kingdom's work. 

 

And may we all, for the joy set before us, work toward that day in which we will be in heaven, and having walked with Christ along the way of the cross, we will have joined hands with those who were lost and brought them with us into Paradise.  Amen