Based upon Luke 19:3-4, John 6:15-21

Have you ever wondered where God is?

 Elie Weisel, in his book Night speaks of an experience he had while in a concentration camp in Germany during WWII that I can’t get out of my head.  All of the prisoners had gathered for a hanging.  There were several executed that day.  One was at thirteen year old boy.  He had been caught stealing a few crumbs of bread.  The boy was not heavy enough for his neck to break when they dropped him, so everybody had to stand and watch for several hours as he slowly strangled to death.  No one spoke for a long time.  Mr. Weisel a child himself, remembers one person who called out so that everybody could hear.  “Where are you God?!!”

 Sometimes, in the desolate moments of life, we find ourselves wondering where God is and why there is no intersession.  You would think that at such a time as that hanging, a good God would have interceded.    

In the John passage, we have recorded a time when Jesus, walking on the water passed by a boatload of his followers that were caught in a storm.  The thing is, they did not recognize him until he spoke.  Even so, Jesus helped them to shore.

 Is it possible that Jesus was present at that hanging but was not recognized?  If so what was his response?

 I am reminded of a prayer written by Fanny J. Crosby put to music by William H. Doane that seems appropriate.

 Pass me not, O gentle Savior
Hear my humble cry!
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

R
Savior Savior,
Hear my humble cry,
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

 Let me at a throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.

 Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I Seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by thy grace.

Thou the spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me!
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom have I but Thee?  Amen.

The prayer does not answer itself.  It merely makes a humble request.  Oh Lord, do not pass me by.  Amen.

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©Copyright: July 20, 2009 J. Lemert Whitmer.  The above is for your personal meditation or to use in your congregation for worship.  Any publishing of this document for the purpose of profit requires written permission