Attention Grabbers: Part Two
Hebrews 2: 1
Therefore, we need to give them “more earnest heed,” This means not only to focus our minds on the truths, but to act upon them. If we keep on acting on them we won’t forget them.
On one occasion Paul said, “I am hurting more than you know.” Most people around you are. They simply aren’t open enough to admit it. He was saying what is stated in a popular country song, “They tore my heart out and stomped that sucker flat.” If you are hurting, you are not alone.
In II Corinthians 1: 4 he refers to his “tribulation,” then of “trouble,” in verse 5 he makes reference to his “sufferings,” and in verse 6 he admits he is “afflicted.” Does that sound like your testimony? Do you ever feel like God has forgotten you?
Who among us hasn’t felt like crying out at some time like the Psalmist (25:16): “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.”
Tragically much human suffering is caused by friends. This was the case of Paul. He was imperfect and his fellow believers capitalized on his imperfection. The entire book of II Corinthians is an explanation of his true calling.
Mark the year A.D. 391. The city Rome, Italy. The character involved was named Telemachus, a resident of a small rural village. He had been led to Rome by the Lord. He followed the surging crowd and ended up in the Colosseum. In amazement he heard the gladiators stand before the emperor and say, “We who are about to die salute you.” Only then did he realize that they were about to fight to the death for the entertainment of the crowd. He shouted out, “In the name of Christ, STOP!” The noise of the crowd drowned him out.
As the games began he pushed his way through the crowd and eventually dropped to the floor of the arena. This tiny little man continued to shout, “In the name of Christ, STOP!”
The crowd thought he was a part of the show and laughed at first. Then realizing he wasn’t, became angry. As he pleaded with the gladiators to stop one plunged his sword into his body. He fled to the stand and as he lay dying his last words were: “In the name of Christ, stop!”
Then a strange thing happened. A hush fell over the crowd as the gladiators stood and looked at that tiny little man lying there. A dead silence gripped the crowd and spectators slowly began to exit.
The year A.D. 391 and that was the last battle to the death in the Roman Colosseum. Never again did men kill men for the entertainment of the crowd. This happened all because of one small voice that could hardly be heard above the crowd. One small voice — one life — that spoke the truth in Christ’s name: STOP!
Many people are suffering at the hands of other believers. Isn’t there a voice to say, “In the name of Christ, STOP!”
Dare to apply the Word of God and be His spokesperson.