Jesus Came Down

Text: Luke 6:17-19 Theme: Jesus came down to teach and heal others. Key verses: “And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem…And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.” (v. 17-19) What God said to me: Dwayne, first of all, you are to put on the breastplate of righteousness every day. But right now, your heart is not pure before me. How do you expect me to speak to you, to open my Word to you if you harbor sin in your heart? Repent and forsake, then I will show you great and mighty things… Now, notice that Jesus didn’t stay hid away on a mountain top with me, even though that was safest and most enjoyable for him. Further, Jesus didn’t just hang out with his closest chosen ones and friends. Jesus came on down–down to the ones who needed him and needed his ministry the most. But again, he didn’t go there just to “hang out” and “shoot the breeze.” Jesus went with a very determined and clear purpose. He was there among them to teach them and to heal their diseases and cast out their demons. He knew they needed both teaching for their hearts and healing for their bodies and souls. He had compassion on them, and willingly gave up his own comfort and enjoyment for their comfort and help. Dwayne, how often do you come out from your little building hide-away? How often do you go “down” to where the people are? And not just where your friends are; how often do you look for needy, less-desirable people to help and to heal and to teach about me? All your well-intentioned efforts and writings and praying are meaningless unless they motivate you to “meet the people.” What I said to God: Lord, I knew there was a word for me in this passage. To think I almost skipped on down to the next verses. Forgive me, Lord! It is never my perogative to pick and choose what passages to meditate on in Your Word. Thank You for speaking to me so directly. Now, how do You want me to put this into practice today and this week? Help me seek and find people to share Your good news with. I want to be attentive to anyone You send across my path.