And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. 56 And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.Luke 8:51-56
What stood out to me in today’s text was what happened to those who were scorning the Lord. Do you see it? The Lord put them all out – they missed out on the blessing of what was to come. Remember, these were the same people who were bewailing the maiden’s death. Usually, people who are in mourning are more “open” to spiritual matters but these people were not. Their hearts were hardened.
What can we learn from today’s text? I’ve often wondered how many blessings I’ve missed out on because of my lack of faith. 
I’m sure it’s more than I care to know about. But a scorner is someone who denies the opportunity for salvation. (Proverbs 19:29
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We see many “either/or” opportunities in the Scriptures. God’s word does present us with situations that are either back or white, righteous or unrighteous, etc. For example, the saved and unsaved are compared to wheat and tares (Matthew 13:40); believers and unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14); Heaven or Hell (Luke 16:23, Matthew 25:41).
All these examples lead to a choice which must be made by each and everyone of us.
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: Deuteronomy 30:19
He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Matthew 12:30
Each day I make a choice – whether to say no to sin or to say yes. The born-again believer has the choice to say no because he has the power to resist temptation. (I Corinthians 10:13) The unbeliever, however, cannot say no to sin because he does not possess the Holy Spirit of a Holy God. (Romans 6:14)
To the unbeliever, however, the only choice left to make on this earth is whether or not to accept Jesus Christ as the only way to Heaven.
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:10-12
Your heart’s condition will determine what choice you make. Are you a scorner – one whom Christ will “put out” and cast into the Lake of Fire at the Great Judgment? Or are you one who will have faith and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31)? It’s a choice based on the condition of your heart!
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