The Gaggle

The Gaggle                                                  07-29-16

Matthew 9:23-25 (ESV) ²³  And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion,
²⁴  he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him.
²⁵  But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.

Gaggle- According to Dictionary Com.

verb-to cackle

noun-a flock of geese when not flying

 an often noisy or disorderly group or gathering.

All of these definitions are relevant today.

I have been to Fountain City  Park on a number of occasions and that park has flocks of geese and ducks waddling around at any time of year. If you have ever gotten close to either of them and especially if they have any babies around, then you will understand what I mean when I say gaggle. You talk about a commotion. You have never heard the like. Flying about, flapping wings and screaming at the top of their voices at anyone who ventures too close.

Or if you take a look at any of a number of newscasts these days, you are almost guaranteed a close up look at a GAGGLE of people wandering around in disorder and confusion. You gettin' my drift here right? O.K.

Well, this is what Jesus faced in this passage of Scripture while doing the work of God. Look at vs. 23 once more

Matthew 9:23 (ESV) ²³  And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion,

Mark has a more descriptive narrative. Look.

Mark 5:38 (ESV) ³⁸  They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.

You get the picture don't you? Jesus had been delayed on His way to Jairus' house to heal Jairus daughter. When He got there, she was dead and the GAGGLE of people were making a COMMOTION. As a matter of fact when Jesus declared that the girl was not dead the Bible says "they laughed at Him.."

Mark 5:40 (ESV) ⁴⁰  And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.

And herein lieth the lesson. 

Has God ever directed you to do something for His glory? Have you ever been led of the Spirit to take a step of faith and accomplish something for the Kingdom Of God? We all have at one time or another. That is God's M.O. isn't it? He could accomplish His will in the Earth without the help of anyone or anything. But, apparently that is not what is pleasing to Him is it? He chooses to accomplish His will in the Earth through those that name the name of Jesus. You know, you and me.

 As we walk this life, if we are sensitive to the leading of the Spirit, God entrusts us with more and greater responsibility. But, and here is my point, it doesn't matter whether you are in the pulpit of a mega church every Sunday, or preaching to a group of 4 and 5 year old's in an outside trailer; if God has called you to do something for Him, you are going to face what Jesus faced in this passage of Scripture. A GAGGLE. A NOISY AND DISORDERLY GROUP CAUSING A COMMOTION. It comes with the territory. And let me add this. The bigger and more unlikely the call from God, the more noisy and disorderly the gaggle in your life.

Does the following sound familiar? God speaks to your heart. Increase your giving to the church. Start a street ministry on the toughest street corner in town. Commit to teach a Sunday School class. It doesn't matter what, you fill in the blank. You look to your friends, family etc., and while you may garner a smattering of support, you are usually faced with a GAGGLE of folk telling you that you HAVE LOST YOUR EVER LOVING MIND! Caps for emphasis!!(smile)  

Oh yes let's not forget this. Even if you are blessed enough to receive the support of family and friends,the other  voices are present aren't they? What voices Ronnie? The voices of the enemy. Those voices that speak doubt and confusion in ;your mind and heart. "Did God really tell you to do that?" "That wasn't God speaking to you that was all in your mind?" You are going to lose everything and look like a fool. Be responsible!"

You feelin' me here? If the gaggle isn't blowing your phone up telling you that you have lost it, then the INTERNAL gaggle is warring against the command of God in your life. Oh wretched man that I am! or woman!  What is a soul to do? Look at what Jesus did.

Mark 5:40 (ESV) ⁴⁰  And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.
 
"... But he put them all outside.....

Better yet.

Luke 8:51 (ESV) ⁵¹  And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child.

"....he allowed no one to enter with him..."

Jesus understood the effect of the gaggle of naysayers and he put them out, not allowing them to enter where the girl was. Although the Bible is silent on it, I wonder if the enemy was perched on His shoulder whispering the impossibility of it all as He came to where the child was.

Brothers and sisters, sometimes we must mute the voices outside and within, no matter how reasonable and sincere they may sound. It doesn't matter the seeming insignificance of what God is speaking. One of the most difficult decisions I ever had to make in my Christian life was to stop going to a drive in theater on Sunday night, opting instead to start going to Sunday night services. 

If God is calling you to a task or asking you to make a decision that seems improbable or impossible, you can be ASSURED the GAGGLE will flock to your doorstep. But, REST ASSURED, God will see you through the test to the distant shore; and the gaggle will be silenced and amazed. 

Matthew 9:25-26 (ESV) ²⁵  But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.
²⁶  And the report of this went through all that district.

If God called you to it, He will see you through it.

Psalm 111:2 (ESV) ²  Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.



God Bless