Like Jesus? Really!

Luke 4:18 caught my attention this week.  It's the work that Jesus came to this earth to do in order to reveal the true character of God, what God is really like, to a lost and dying world:  

 

 

 

 

Allow me the indulgence of one more amazing text:  John 20:21:  "Then said Jesus to them (His disciples) again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."

 

Do you sense the call of God in these verses?  Does it not thrill your heart to realize Jesus has passed His work onto us His disciples (Christians-Acts 11:26) living in the 21st century, by His empowering grace to do the same things He did while He was here on earth?  To think that, like Jesus, we have the privilege of showing others what God is really like by the way we treat the brokenhearted, those who've lost their way, the ones who feel trapped by their circumstances, the precious individuals who have been bruised by ungodly interpersonal relationships, etc. 1 John 2:5,6. 

 

It's true - you and I may not be mighty speakers educated in the theological schools of our day - but neither was the demoniac (demon possessed man) Jesus healed.  Mark 5 describes the experience - I hope you'll take the time to read it. 

 

Catch the call Jesus placed on that healed man's heart in Mark 5:19:  "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."  That healed demoniac who had experienced Christ's healing power, accepted the call the Lord offered him and acted on it.  Mark 5:20 records his sincere response:  "And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled."

 

Now don't miss this point:  The Greek word in that verse that is translated "proclaim" in our English Bibles is the same Greek word that is translated "preach" in Luke 4:18, ". . . preach (proclaim) deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind."  

 

That healed demoniac had no theological training.  Chances are he never had the opportunity to open and read the Scriptures of his day.  But he went and proclaimed - preached - what he had experienced with Christ.  And that simple testimony of God's grace drew crowds of people to see, hear, and experience the healing power of Christ's words and acts, to find a living picture of what God is really like!  See Mark 6:53-56; Luke 8:39,40.  Wow!

 

Dear friend, you and I may never stand before a television camera or captivate a large crowd with our words, but when all the dust settles, we can be among those whom our Lord and King Jesus Christ commends before His throne when.  Notice who that is:  "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'   Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?  When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'  And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'"   Matthew 25:34-40 NKJV.

 

We are surrounded with individuals who are struggling with anxiety, discouragement, hopelessness, depression, anger, broken relationships, and challenges of everyday living.  No matter how broken we may be, no matter how weak we may feel, like the healed demoniac, by the power of God's grace through faith in a risen and soon-coming Savior, you and I can preach, proclaim, what Jesus has done and is doing for us, share the words of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ - maybe not in a pulpit or a crowded gathering -but in our everyday lives, through our voices and actions, our responses to life's situations.  Really, truly, Jesus wants to grow us and use us to attract and lead other hurting people to the healing restoring power of His grace!   I hope you'll be one of those who determines to follow in His footsteps.  1 John 2:5,6. 

 

Courage to you - Isaiah 41:10!  Pastor Dan

 

A special note:  Perhaps you're already actively involved in a caring vocation or ministry, but you're still seeking for something more you can do for the precious individuals who have sought your help.  Maybe you are a faithful member of your church who is desiring to be more helpful to people who are struggling with life's challenges. Whoever you are, the longing may be stirring your heart to be more effective in helping hurting and lonely people find hope and healing in this world of pain and turmoil.  Please prayerfully consider attending the Biblical Response TherapyTM  Training Seminar being held September 29th through October 2 here at the Black Hills Health & Education Center.  This training is intended to provide an unadulterated Biblical understanding necessary to become more effectual in helping hurting people find, through Christ and His word, a victorious experience of mental and spiritual restoration intended by God to last for eternity.

 

For more details, see the "Education" site or the "Events" section under "The Forum" in this website.