Basket Cases & Rope Holders
He is sitting helpless in a basket suspended precariously high above the ground.
With no options ... but to depend on the good graces and promises of the persons holding the ropes!
The name of this man hanging in a basket is Saul and Saul hated Christians! ... well, at least he used to.
But Saul’s heart and his worldview were radically changed when he had a personal encounter with Jesus! Jesus had showed up on the road to Damascus. Saul’s natural eyes were blinded but his spiritual eyes were opened. Jesus had changed Saul’s life instantly and completely!
This was the same Jesus who, by the way, was supposed to be dead!
The miracle that Jesus was still alive was only slightly more amazing than the miracle that Saul has become a preacher of the Gospel
Saul is now aggressively pursuing a ministry in fulfillment of a prophecy spoken over him by a brave believer - “Saul,” said Ananias, “You are a chosen vessel of Jesus to bear His name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.”
Saul immediately begins to boldly declare that Jesus is the Son of God and the Saviour of all men. He boldly preaches that true living can happen only when the author and giver of life, Jesus Christ, takes up residence in the spirit of man, when sin is forgiven, and eternal life is found through faith in Christ.
The powerful impact of Saul’s preaching & teaching stirs up the resident haters in the city and results in a plan to destroy this new preacher.
Saul rightly realizes that he needs to escape the city immediately and clandestinely.
Saul’s new friends, but old enemies, convince him that his only option is to allow them to push him through a window in the city wall and into a basket with the promise to safely lower him to the ground and freedom.
Picture this budding apostle Saul ...
Hanging in a basket. Suspended in the darkness.
Holding the ropes that keep him from plunging to death are the men Saul had once tried to kill. Ringing in his mind is the prophecy that he would preach the gospel to kings but now he is stuck in this basket!
Why couldn’t God just strike all his enemies with blindness?
Saul certainly had first-hand knowledge of God’s ability to do just that!
But, the new follower of Christ, who had been the up-and-coming intellectual and influential young member of Israel’s elite, has become nothing more than a “basket case!”
Years later this man Saul, who had become known as the Apostle Paul, would write a letter to a Church in Corinth, that would include a note explaining why he could not visit them immediately saying, “A great and effective door has opened to me, ...”
Sometimes God does provide a great and effective door for us to enter and experience great things with Him and accomplish great things for Him, but ...
Sometimes God expects us to squeeze through a window and into a place that tests our patience and demands our trust. God demands that we be willing to be a basket case!
BUT GOD SHOWS UP IN BASKETS!
He is sitting helpless in a basket suspended precariously high above the ground.
With no options ... but to depend on the good graces and promises of the persons holding the ropes!
The name of this man hanging in a basket is Saul and Saul hated Christians! ... well, at least he used to.
But Saul’s heart and his worldview were radically changed when he had a personal encounter with Jesus! Jesus had showed up on the road to Damascus. Saul’s natural eyes were blinded but his spiritual eyes were opened. Jesus had changed Saul’s life instantly and completely!
This was the same Jesus who, by the way, was supposed to be dead!
The miracle that Jesus was still alive was only slightly more amazing than the miracle that Saul has become a preacher of the Gospel
Saul is now aggressively pursuing a ministry in fulfillment of a prophecy spoken over him by a brave believer - “Saul,” said Ananias, “You are a chosen vessel of Jesus to bear His name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.”
Saul immediately begins to boldly declare that Jesus is the Son of God and the Saviour of all men. He boldly preaches that true living can happen only when the author and giver of life, Jesus Christ, takes up residence in the spirit of man, when sin is forgiven, and eternal life is found through faith in Christ.
The powerful impact of Saul’s preaching & teaching stirs up the resident haters in the city and results in a plan to destroy this new preacher.
Saul rightly realizes that he needs to escape the city immediately and clandestinely.
Saul’s new friends, but old enemies, convince him that his only option is to allow them to push him through a window in the city wall and into a basket with the promise to safely lower him to the ground and freedom.
Picture this budding apostle Saul ...
Hanging in a basket. Suspended in the darkness.
Holding the ropes that keep him from plunging to death are the men Saul had once tried to kill. Ringing in his mind is the prophecy that he would preach the gospel to kings but now he is stuck in this basket!
Why couldn’t God just strike all his enemies with blindness?
Saul certainly had first-hand knowledge of God’s ability to do just that!
But, the new follower of Christ, who had been the up-and-coming intellectual and influential young member of Israel’s elite, has become nothing more than a “basket case!”
Years later this man Saul, who had become known as the Apostle Paul, would write a letter to a Church in Corinth, that would include a note explaining why he could not visit them immediately saying, “A great and effective door has opened to me, ...”
Sometimes God does provide a great and effective door for us to enter and experience great things with Him and accomplish great things for Him, but ...
Sometimes God expects us to squeeze through a window and into a place that tests our patience and demands our trust. God demands that we be willing to be a basket case!
BUT GOD SHOWS UP IN BASKETS!
1. In the basket learns Saul that the fulfillment of his office begins with trust in God
Remember that whatever office we we hold in ministry or in our community is an expression of the favour of God.
The Scriptures clearly declare the it is God who lifts us to offices of leadership.
None of us serve only at the favour of our congregations or constituents.
No one is born a leader ... but only with the potential to lead. It is God to lifts up or brings down as part of His grand and perfect plan of the ages.
Allowing yourself to be a basket case demonstrates your trust in His plan.
2. In the basket learns Saul that we all need one another!
Every Basket-Case needs Rope-Holders.
None of us is wise enough, strong enough, educated enough, skilled enough to single-handedly fulfill God's plan for our life.
The basket reminds us that we can’t make it all on our own.
Someone has described 6 kinds of people we need to help us do great things in life -
1. The Instigator
This is the person who pushes you, who makes you think, who motivates you to get going. This is the voice of INSPIRATION.
2. The Cheerleader
This is the person who is a huge fan, a strong and faithful supporter. This is the voice of
MOTIVATION.
3. The Doubter
You also need the doubter yes the doubter; the one who asks the hard questions and sees problems before they arise. This is the voice of REASON.
4. The Taskmaster
This is the person who demands you get things done; the one that keeps you focused. This is the voice of PROGRESS.
5. The Connector
This is the person that helps you find new avenues and new allies; the person who reaches out to others on your behalf. This is the voice of COOPERATION.
6. The Example
This person is your mentor; this is someone whose presence is a constant reminder of what it looks like to do to get done what you're wanting to do. This is the voice of HOPE.
I have taken the liberty of adding another person to your team. Perhaps the most important of all.
7. The Rope Holder
This person is the one who knows the God and prays for you; who knows the true source of strength and blessing. This is the voice of FAITH!
God has called all of us to be both Basket Cases and Rope Holders
Basket Cases are those who maintain a perspective of trust in God’s plan and provision and a humble recognition of the need for the help of others.
Rope Holders are those who keep others from falling and safe from those who would want to stop us from fulfilling God’s purposes in our lives.
Remember that whatever office we we hold in ministry or in our community is an expression of the favour of God.
The Scriptures clearly declare the it is God who lifts us to offices of leadership.
None of us serve only at the favour of our congregations or constituents.
No one is born a leader ... but only with the potential to lead. It is God to lifts up or brings down as part of His grand and perfect plan of the ages.
Allowing yourself to be a basket case demonstrates your trust in His plan.
2. In the basket learns Saul that we all need one another!
Every Basket-Case needs Rope-Holders.
None of us is wise enough, strong enough, educated enough, skilled enough to single-handedly fulfill God's plan for our life.
The basket reminds us that we can’t make it all on our own.
Someone has described 6 kinds of people we need to help us do great things in life -
1. The Instigator
This is the person who pushes you, who makes you think, who motivates you to get going. This is the voice of INSPIRATION.
2. The Cheerleader
This is the person who is a huge fan, a strong and faithful supporter. This is the voice of
MOTIVATION.
3. The Doubter
You also need the doubter yes the doubter; the one who asks the hard questions and sees problems before they arise. This is the voice of REASON.
4. The Taskmaster
This is the person who demands you get things done; the one that keeps you focused. This is the voice of PROGRESS.
5. The Connector
This is the person that helps you find new avenues and new allies; the person who reaches out to others on your behalf. This is the voice of COOPERATION.
6. The Example
This person is your mentor; this is someone whose presence is a constant reminder of what it looks like to do to get done what you're wanting to do. This is the voice of HOPE.
I have taken the liberty of adding another person to your team. Perhaps the most important of all.
7. The Rope Holder
This person is the one who knows the God and prays for you; who knows the true source of strength and blessing. This is the voice of FAITH!
God has called all of us to be both Basket Cases and Rope Holders
Basket Cases are those who maintain a perspective of trust in God’s plan and provision and a humble recognition of the need for the help of others.
Rope Holders are those who keep others from falling and safe from those who would want to stop us from fulfilling God’s purposes in our lives.
- G. H. Beesley
