Renowned and beloved television priest, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen (no relation to Charley), experienced a metaphor that would become a mandate for his life. It happened among African lepers. In their colony he was already struggling with being repulsed by the sights and smells of the rotting tissue and the visible suffering of the lepers. It was Christ’s love that compelled him to overcome his revulsion long enough to hold a conversation with one of them (2 Corinthians 5:14).
This fellow had many open, oozing sores all over his body. Just as Sheen leaned forward his neckchain broke and the cross he wore fell into the man’s open sore. Visibly shaken he took a few steps back. But after he receiving conviction and regaining composure, he bent over, took up his cross, hung it back around his neck, and continued to minister to that man.
We must TAKE up the cross of Jesus and TOUCH the wounds of the hurting with it. Moreover, we must take HIM to where needy people are. The great prophet, Isaiah, penned why: “By His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
We must TELL people how Jesus can meet their needs.
How can you apply this metaphor to your life?
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5 NIV).
We are healed from more than our sicknesses--we are healed from our sin. But we must receive Him and His forgiveness if our lives are to be changed by Him. Have you received His gift? Have you accepted Him as your Savior and only hope for Heaven?
