Imagine a city where nobody is ill. No need for a hospital. No clinics. No doctors or nurses. No pharmacies. Nobody calling in sick.
For just a few hours, a city in Galilee enjoyed this amazing experience.
It all started with Jesus. His words had astounding authority and power. With a word, he could liberate a man possessed by a demon. With a word, he could heal a woman suffering from a high fever.
Social media was yet to be invented. Social networks, however, were surprisingly effective. The word about Jesus spread like wildfire.
Everyone in town brought those who were sick to Jesus. He healed them. Every single one! They even brought people with demons. Jesus cast them out. All of them!
The next morning, they were upset to discover that Jesus was missing. They went into a panic and searched for him. They found Jesus in a deserted place praying.
The crowds tried to convince Jesus that he should stay with them. Look at all the good he was doing! No doubt they could use him in the future. After all, people get sick.
Their desire to keep Jesus to themselves is certainly understandable. Jesus did so much good for their families and friends. He made their city a better place.
Despite their earnest appeals, Jesus disappointed them. He refused their offer to stay in that city and take care of all their needs. Why did he decline their offer?
Jesus told the people, “It is necessary for me to proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose” (Luke 4:43).
Jesus had a message that was meant for everyone. Staying in one city to heal their sick and cast out their demons would keep his message from reaching others.
“I was sent,” Jesus said. He was sent by God. His message and mission were from God. The folks in this city had no right to override God’s plans.
Jesus told them that he was sent “to proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God.” God’s kingdom is his benevolent and transforming rule in the hearts of all who trust in him. God’s kingdom was announced and initiated by Jesus; and it will be consummated at Jesus’ Second Coming.
Jesus was sent “to the other towns also.” He left that town and continued proclaiming the good news about God’s kingdom throughout Israel, and beyond. The power of his word continued to heal and to liberate, advancing into other communities, into other lives.
After Jesus’ sacrificial death on a cross in Jerusalem and his triumphant resurrection from the tomb, he prepared to return to God the Father in heaven. His disciples asked if he was restoring God’s kingdom to Israel at that time. Like the people who wanted Jesus to stay in their town, the disciples were still limiting his reach. Stay in our nation and bless us!
Jesus told them to be witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. He entrusted his mission to his followers. They followed his instructions and continued proclaiming the good news. The good news about God’s kingdom spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire.
Since then, Christians have faced the same temptation as that city in Galilee almost two thousand years ago: to try and keep Jesus to ourselves. But Jesus will not be contained. God’s mission is unchanged. His Spirit in our hearts urges us to tell people everywhere about God’s benevolent rule through faith in Jesus.
Jesus has entrusted his mission to us, his followers. It is our turn to be faithful in our generation. If we try to keep Jesus to ourselves and ignore the great spiritual need in other lives and communities, Jesus will disappoint us.
When we tell others the good news about Jesus, we are participating in God’s great work of salvation. When we tell others the good news about Jesus, God will use our efforts to save souls for eternal life!
May the love of God compel us to tell the good news about Jesus Christ,
Brother Richard
brotherrichardsblog.com 