"...as you go, preach..." Matthew 10:7. These words were spoken by Jesus to His followers. They are still applicable to His followers today. Throughout the gospels, we see Jesus Himself practicing this very thing. In John chapter four we read that Jesus left Judea and was on His way to Galilee. Enroute, He stopped in the city of Sychar, to rest. This is where Jesus had His well-known encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, that led to her conversion. Verse four tells us that Jesus "had to pass through Samaria" to make this journey. Maybe He even had to pass by this well, but He didn't have to strike up a conversation. In fact, the Bible gives us three legitimate reasons that He could have bypassed the opportunity. Number one, He was tired. Number two, Jews had no dealings with Samaritans, and number three, this person was a woman! Jesus went out of His way, on His way, to where He was going. He preached as He went, and as a result "...many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman..." John 4:39.
Luke tells us of a time when Jesus was passing through Jericho. A man named Zacchaeus was having trouble seeing Him over the crowd, so he ran ahead and climbed a tree to get a better view. Luke records: "When Jesus reached the spot, He looked up and said to him..." Luke 19:5. I'm glad Jesus didn't think, "I'm in a hurry. I'm not going to stop and crane my neck to talk to some guy up in a tree." No, Jesus took the time to stop and minister to Zacchaeus, and even to spend the day at his house. As a result of this encounter, Zacchaeus' life was changed. Jesus said these words to him: "...Today salvation has come to this house..." Luke 19:9.
In Matthew chapter nine, Matthew tells the story of his own life-changing encounter with Jesus. "As Jesus was going down the road, he saw Matthew sitting at his tax-collection booth. 'Come be my disciple,' Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed Him." As a result of Jesus making time for Matthew, as He was going, Matthew's name was placed on the roll of the twelve apostles.
From reading these accounts, it seems clear that Jesus' stops along the way were often as much a part of His ministry as His points of destination. I want to follow His pattern. Don't you --- to be aware of ministry opportunities, and not to pass them up. May our lives --- as we go --- preach!
The boutique where I stop
To browse at a sale,
Could it be owned by a modern-day
Woman at the well.
The bank teller in the window
Looking through the glass at me,
Could she be my very own
Zacchaeus in a tree?
The woman who takes my money ---
A busy grocery checker ---
Could she be today's version of
The Biblical tax collector?
Let me not be so busy
Getting from point A to point B
That I miss the opportunities, Lord,
You place in front of me.
Fill me with compassion.
Make me keenly aware.
Give me your heart.
Let me truly care.
A three-point sermon
Is not always required,
To lift the down-trodden,
The weak, and the tired.
Smile through me Holy Spirit,
When necessary, speak.
Let me inspire others,
Your holy kingdom to seek.
When I get to heaven,
I'll finally realize
On earth there was no destination
It was all just passing by.
Luke tells us of a time when Jesus was passing through Jericho. A man named Zacchaeus was having trouble seeing Him over the crowd, so he ran ahead and climbed a tree to get a better view. Luke records: "When Jesus reached the spot, He looked up and said to him..." Luke 19:5. I'm glad Jesus didn't think, "I'm in a hurry. I'm not going to stop and crane my neck to talk to some guy up in a tree." No, Jesus took the time to stop and minister to Zacchaeus, and even to spend the day at his house. As a result of this encounter, Zacchaeus' life was changed. Jesus said these words to him: "...Today salvation has come to this house..." Luke 19:9.
In Matthew chapter nine, Matthew tells the story of his own life-changing encounter with Jesus. "As Jesus was going down the road, he saw Matthew sitting at his tax-collection booth. 'Come be my disciple,' Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed Him." As a result of Jesus making time for Matthew, as He was going, Matthew's name was placed on the roll of the twelve apostles.
From reading these accounts, it seems clear that Jesus' stops along the way were often as much a part of His ministry as His points of destination. I want to follow His pattern. Don't you --- to be aware of ministry opportunities, and not to pass them up. May our lives --- as we go --- preach!
The boutique where I stop
To browse at a sale,
Could it be owned by a modern-day
Woman at the well.
The bank teller in the window
Looking through the glass at me,
Could she be my very own
Zacchaeus in a tree?
The woman who takes my money ---
A busy grocery checker ---
Could she be today's version of
The Biblical tax collector?
Let me not be so busy
Getting from point A to point B
That I miss the opportunities, Lord,
You place in front of me.
Fill me with compassion.
Make me keenly aware.
Give me your heart.
Let me truly care.
A three-point sermon
Is not always required,
To lift the down-trodden,
The weak, and the tired.
Smile through me Holy Spirit,
When necessary, speak.
Let me inspire others,
Your holy kingdom to seek.
When I get to heaven,
I'll finally realize
On earth there was no destination
It was all just passing by.
