Sunday, September 9, 2007

Luke 4:40-44 - Putting Christ in a box?

Scripture:
 
Luke 4:40-44
40 While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them.
41 Demons also were coming out of many, shouting,"You are the Son of God!" But rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ.
 
42 When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for Him, and came to Him and tried to keep Him from going away from them.
43 But He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose."
44 So He kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
NASU

 
Thoughts:
 
This scene is from the beginning of Christ's ministry.  In it we see a mistaken response to Christ that we too can have.
 
The people wanted to hold Christ to where He had already worked.  He had been healing and great things were taking place (verses 40-41), and they wanted Him to just keep doing that!  But Christ's ministry was to be much bigger than just that area (verses 43-44).
 
The response of the people is one that we often have when Christ wants to bring changes into our lives or ministry.  We like what He's already doing and don't want to see that change!  But just like in this account, His plans are often much more than we can see with our own eyes.
 
 
Prayer:
 
Lord, forgive me for resisting the changes You bring into my life.  I prefer the status quo, because I can live there without having to exercise any faith in You!  But I know that You desire for me to trust You as a little child.  What better place can this happen, than in the changes You bring?  Give me the faith I need to walk with You, even in uncertain times. 
 
Amen

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.