During the time our Savior was earth bound He met people where they were. In fact, He still does. During His ministry Jesus didn't have a home to call His own. He didn't do a 9-5 job. He didn't open His door at 9:00 and make sure the closed sign was turned at 5:00. His ministry was a 24/7 ministry. Think about that for a minute. That's a lot to chew on. While Jesus was here on earth He was all God, but He was all man. Not just a little bit of man. Not 50% of a man. He was all man. He was tempted. He grew tired. His feet became dirty. I imagine there in the dessert He was a sweaty mess at times. He grew hungry and He grew of thirst.
As He walked this earth, He continued to meet people where they were. He went to the people. Yes, He met them on their turf. He went out of His way to meet people. Do we do that?Can you envision the feeding of the 5,000? Can you see Him with the Samaritan woman at the well? Jesus went out of His way to make Himself available. Even when He was tired, He knew from whom His strength came.
He wasn't always accepted. He was downright rejected, despised and hated. For all those that rejected Him, He still continued onward. He had a mission. He healed the sick. He touched the lepers. He reached out to those no one wanted. He made Himself available to all. He never met a stranger. As people came to Him, He already knew their story. Remember, He was all God too.
He came as a man so we could relate to Him. It is easy for us to say, "Well, of course He never sinned. He was God." But friends, He was all man. No, I can't wrap my little mind around all that, but what I can do, is know without a doubt that He can relate to me. He has been there. He knows what pain is.
He never showed partiality to anyone. During His ministry He never said only the rich could come. Only the good-looking could surround Him. People walk with an entourage today, wanting all the focus on them. Jesus wasn't glitz and glam. He wasn't putting on a show. He was the real deal. His focus? His Father. His Disciples and Apostles were like Him. Common. They were the normal and not so normal. Not sure a fisherman raked real high on the pay scale. But to Jesus, he was special. They were the accepted and unwanted. A tax collector following Jesus? Most wanted nothing to do with them. But Jesus? He received everyone with love. Jesus could have came to earth totally different. The point is, He didn't. He road in on a donkey. Not a Royal Mount.
"Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, "Lord, I will follow You wherever You go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." Luke 9:57-58
He knew His Father would provide His every need. He wasn't concerned with stuff like we are today. He didn't have a house full of stuff to take His attention off of His purpose. To see His plan and bring it to fruition, He had to keep His eyes on the Father. Nothing could get in the way. The plan was laid out. His life was filled with purpose. He balanced life. He knew what was important and what to let go of. None of this stuff we gather on this earth is going to be needed for our heavenly home.
Don't you think we have gotten just a little off track? Are you stressed today? Jesus knew what that kind of day was like. I get stressed. I allow the things of this world to get me off track. Yes, if I'm not careful I lose my focus. We try to shuffle life and somehow what's most important gets shuffled to the bottom. We wait on heaven, but tomorrow comes and the next day and the next. But there is going to come a time when we see Him coming. So, we need to ask ourselves, "Just where are we building our home?" We put heaven aside for a little comfort. We put ME in front of every situation. We let the malls direct us. Our eyes travel from one thing to the next. Where is it that our treasure is? Sometimes, too many times, my treasure is found in my stuff. I say I'm going to do this and that, but friends, having a good idea, is just that, unless we put it into action. My feet need to always be moving in the direction the Lord is leading. There is no coincidence who crosses our path. There are no chance meetings.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5
"In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." John 14:2-4
Every step of our Savior tells of His story. Every step He took was calculated and direct. He was focused and secure in the Father. Friends, you and I can have the same security in our walk. We can be so focused on Jesus that not one opportunity passes us by. We can use every minute of our lives for Jesus.
We are not going to reach the world for Jesus if we never take a step of faith. We must make ourselves available and we must be ready to serve at the most inopportune times. Remember, it's those interruptions in our life that He creates opportunities for great heavenly gain.
It's not the stuff here on this earth that matters. It is the heart of man that matters. His soul. Jesus was grounded in His Father's work. He served where others didn't want to go. He gave until it hurt. He is our example. Just where are we planting our feet? Friends, this isn't our home. We are just passing through. But while we are here, let us make the most of each and every moment! Are you ready?
