Why was the whole countryside so excited about Jesus coming?...
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Why was the whole countryside so excited about Jesus coming? Was it because he gave good sermons? Or was it partly or mainly because of his healings and miracles? Would more people come to church today if they could be healed or witness someone else being healed? A few evangelists thrive on that. It is exciting and brings in the crowds!
I attended a service in Kona, Hawaii, once when the pastor's daughter had just become Miss America. I overheard some coming in the door asking, "Did we come to hear God's word and worship or are we here in hopes that we will see the pastor's daughter?"
Whatever their motivation, the people in Galilee heard Jesus read a scripture from the Old Testament and then sat expectantly to hear his sermon. Some may wish their pastor's sermons could be as short as Jesus' when he simply said that the scripture he had just read was fulfilled at that moment. He didn't need to say anything else! Jesus not only preached, but he lived out his message so all could see.
Some might complain that he came to the poor and to prisoners and that he came to release the oppressed. Not us good Christians! Sure, some may need to be healed if they can't afford a good doctor, but we wanted the Lord to come to us good people also!
We know that the Lord came for you and me! We should realize that we may be the "poor in spirit" whom Jesus was preaching to and also those who are imprisoned in our own selfishness and greed who have Satan as our prison guard.
Jesus might have been made a prisoner back then, but his enemies in the synagogue hierarchy were letting his preaching continue, not wanting to disturb the people. I think they were waiting for Jesus to make a mistake. They kept asking him questions to trap him. They would certainly be shocked by his short sermon that day, but they did not have a chance to interrogate him with all his supporters sitting there.
Notice that he did not select the passage. I have experienced the Lord's hand in scripture that was given me.
I visited a dying soldier once who did not go to church, so he wondered why the Lord would be willing to accept him. He said that the things he had done would "knock your socks off," but he had no chance to make up for it. The passage that jumped into my mind was the story of the thief on the cross who had no chance to make up for his sins. That passage really caught him and ultimately turned his few remaining days around.
Pray that God will give you the word you need for this day. May he also give you words that you can pass on to someone else who may have a need.
I attended a service in Kona, Hawaii, once when the pastor's daughter had just become Miss America. I overheard some coming in the door asking, "Did we come to hear God's word and worship or are we here in hopes that we will see the pastor's daughter?"
Whatever their motivation, the people in Galilee heard Jesus read a scripture from the Old Testament and then sat expectantly to hear his sermon. Some may wish their pastor's sermons could be as short as Jesus' when he simply said that the scripture he had just read was fulfilled at that moment. He didn't need to say anything else! Jesus not only preached, but he lived out his message so all could see.
Some might complain that he came to the poor and to prisoners and that he came to release the oppressed. Not us good Christians! Sure, some may need to be healed if they can't afford a good doctor, but we wanted the Lord to come to us good people also!
We know that the Lord came for you and me! We should realize that we may be the "poor in spirit" whom Jesus was preaching to and also those who are imprisoned in our own selfishness and greed who have Satan as our prison guard.
Jesus might have been made a prisoner back then, but his enemies in the synagogue hierarchy were letting his preaching continue, not wanting to disturb the people. I think they were waiting for Jesus to make a mistake. They kept asking him questions to trap him. They would certainly be shocked by his short sermon that day, but they did not have a chance to interrogate him with all his supporters sitting there.
Notice that he did not select the passage. I have experienced the Lord's hand in scripture that was given me.
I visited a dying soldier once who did not go to church, so he wondered why the Lord would be willing to accept him. He said that the things he had done would "knock your socks off," but he had no chance to make up for it. The passage that jumped into my mind was the story of the thief on the cross who had no chance to make up for his sins. That passage really caught him and ultimately turned his few remaining days around.
Pray that God will give you the word you need for this day. May he also give you words that you can pass on to someone else who may have a need.
