Tag: Peace

Only a Man

Only a Man

There is a part in the telling of Jesus ministry that catches my eye every time i read it. This account is found in Matthew 9:35-38 and reads thusly:
35 Jesus traveled among all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, announcing the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. 36 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers. 38  Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers for his harvest.”

Jesus saw the people and had compassion. His heart was broken for their helpless, and troubled spirits. His desire for them was that they would become part of the harvest. That they would give their hearts to Him completely. His heart is for us too. His desire is for us to be more than a part of the harvest but to be workers in the field. Taking the good news to the world that is wandering, troubled and helpless. To shepherd them to the Great Shepherd.

This song by Jonny Lang is one of my favorites (listen to it here). It is the song of a man who finds himself helpless but returning to Jesus. That is our story too…let us have compassion on those around us…let our heart break for what breaks the heart of the Lord and be workers in a vast field where the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

You are loved,

cj

More Mercy, Peace, and Love

More Mercy, Peace, and Love

We have been studying Jude at Coffee with Jesus in the mornings.  i love when we can read an introduction and spend the morning talking about it. Jude is one of those introductions.

“…I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love.”

Much like the whole of Scripture the letter is being written to those who have already accepted Jesus as Lord, they are already born again. The words to follow, are for those that already follow. We often want, and in varying degrees it is assumed, that these are for the non-believer first…well at least it is how we talk and act, it appears this is our thought process.

As we read here in Jude, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Verse 2 is spectacular, “May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love.” What do we take away from this? That He, Jesus, has already given us some, if Jude is implying there is more. The reason most of us believe is because we experienced the Mercy, Peace and Love of Christ first.

If we came because Christ first loved us…and we are called to be like Christ, doesn’t it stand to reason that we first love others? That we extend mercy, peace and love so that others too can experience the MORE?

You are Loved,

cj