There is an advertisement on TV in which one person decides to perform an act of kindness toward someone else. Unbeknownst to him, a woman observes him and is inspired to eventually perform an act of kindness herself. Someone observed this woman and the cycle continues. The message is clear: you never know who is looking and how you impact them.
An older man approached a young man, asking "Are you a Seventh Day Adventist? It is very nice to see young men going to church." Now this happened on a weekday. The young man was puzzled. He asked the old man, "Sir, with all due respect, how do you know I go to church. I don't know you and never seen you before. And how do you suppose I am a Seventh Day Adventist? " The old man laughed and said, "As I sit by my wiondow every Saturday morning, I have seen you dressed up in your suit with your Bible in hand. I figure if he goes to church on Saturdays he must be a Seventh Day Adventist." The young man had walk pass this old man's house without even knowing someone was watching.
It seems this was the case of the man in Mark 10 who came running to Jesus. Jesus had been blessing the children and their mothers in Mark 10: 13 - 16
Mark 10:13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Mark 10:16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
Then we read in verse 17,
Mark 10:17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
Most of us know the unfortunate ending to the story. What we do not know is what Ellen White says inspired this man to run to Jesus, kneel down and ask Jesus the question.
At first the rich young ruler was just observing the scene of the disciples, mothers, and children. But the tenderness Jesus showed with the children and mothers touched his heart. "He saw the love that Christ manifested toward the children brought to Him; he saw how tenderly He received them, and took them up in His arms, and his heart kindled with love for the Saviour. He felt a desire to be His disciple. He was so deeply moved that as Christ was going on His way, he ran after Him."—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 518.
Note the young ruler's response when His emotions were touched; he ran, and, the important man that he was, he knelt, asking what he needed to do to inherit eternal life.
There is another story in which Jesus was the one observing: the widow with her two mites. We read her story in Luke 21: 2 – 4,
Luke21:2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
Luke21:3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
Luke21:4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
Little did she know that someone had been observing her and her story would be recorded and two thousand years later people would talk about her? How many may have been inspired to give what ever little they had to the Lord's cause. Is someone watching you? Will they be inspired to follow Jesus?
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Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com
