THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 4:42-44
“I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns.” (Luke 4:43)
Jesus has a sense of urgency to spread the message far and wide.
Once He has success, He is not content to settle in and stay.
To settle in and stay… this is not why He was sent.
“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21)
Many Christians and churches seem to have a ‘settle and stay’ mindset.
Their focus is on their own church, how to keep it going, keep it strong.
But I wonder, could it be our inward focus that is making us weak?
What if the church were passionate about reaching new communities?
What if our church were looking towards Ayr, or Preston, or St George?
Would we change how we do ministry, how we hire staff, how we spend our money?
We’ve been conditioned to think inward, to focus on our church.
But maybe we should pray about Jesus kingdom mission, and ours.
Maybe Jesus is standing amongst us, waiting to move on.
Not to settle in and stay, but to advance into the next community.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, shape my heart to reflect Yours. May your mission be our mission, anf may we as Your followers feel Your urgency for the next town.
Jesus went to a solitary place – a place to connect with His Father. Time spent in prayer – talking with God. Strengthening time. Re-energizing time. Refocusing time.
The people when they found Him tried to keep Jesus for themselves.
Selfish.
Self focused.
But Jesus knew His task that He must proclaim the Good News. He knew His priorities and He pursued them. He knew His God given task.
Help me Lord to fulfill my task in my kingdom service – living for Jesus everyday.
Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy [redemption],*
Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master,
My heart shall be Thy throne,
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.