A Poor Chance

Based on 2 Kings 24-25, John 15:1-24

"And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land." 2 Kings 24:14

"Now the rest of the people that were left in the city, and the fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carry away. But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen." 2 Kings 25:11‭-‬12

Jesus has an interesting way of changing things up...all of the best men in Israel & Judah were carried away to Babylon, but the poor were left in their own cities to be workers. Although the poor had to be workers, and it could be seen as something insignificant, they were still the ones who were preserved in the land! The special ones to God are sometimes the ones who have a poor chance at life...everyone in the world will chase after the people with the best reputation...but it takes a special God to see the special in the poorest places! So we must have eyes like Jesus to see the rich in the poor! They need it most!

As the first Scripture states, Jesus was definitely out to save "the poorest sort of the people of the land." They were ones who wouldn't be closed off. They would accept compassion. The only ones who felt they needed someone like Jesus had nothing, and there were some who later realized that they had nothing without Jesus; no riches ever measure up! That's why He preserved them in this Old Testament passage, and that's why He found the man at the pool of Bethesda in the New Testament!

"And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case , he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath."

John 5:5‭-‬9

This man had been trying to get to this pool for 38 years...he watched others receive a healing every time the angel stirred the waters, but he could never get there in time because his legs wouldn't allow it. Jesus saw his desire, sadness, and longsuffering. Jesus knew he had a poor chance. Jesus knew He was this man's only chance at a miracle! So, Jesus went & healed him! Sometimes a poor chance in the world's eyes means we have the greatest chance of a miracle! But, we have to say yes...Yes, I will be made whole. Yes, I will follow after Jesus & not take chances & risks in the world. Yes, I will turn my poor chance into a second chance in Jesus' Name!