Good day dear friends.
Our text for today is from Mark 6:30 The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. 54 When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, 55 and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. (NRSV)
Word about Jesus' power to heal got around quickly during a time there was no Facebook, Twitter, or email. People told each other about the things they saw or experienced or received. There was a sense of wonder, for who can explain the blind seeing or the lame walking? There was a sense of urgency, for who knew how long Jesus would be in the area? Crowds followed Jesus and our recent conference preacher believes that is still true in our churches; "If you have Jesus in your church, you'll have a crowd, because crowds follow Jesus." I believe it is true, if the crowd that usually gathers tells new folks about what Jesus is being allowed to do in the old setting. Now, like then, not everybody gets excited about Jesus, especially if it means changing anything. Healing, miracles, compassion for the hungry, and the outcast should be offered at all churches; and Jesus should be invited in to be present and do all that He believes needs to take place.
More importantly, we should begin with our heart; have we invited Jesus in to take control of our needs and situations? Have we truly allowed our faith to give Jesus preaching and healing room?
PRAYER: Loving God, the stories of Jesus is wonderful, but I ask that they not stay words on a page from a book from long ago. May these stories be inspiration to invite Your Son to come and do it again; in my life and in the life of my church. We still need You and the wonderful, unexplainable things You can do through Jesus. I pray in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
