Samantha Glenn
We Have More to Offer…
“We put the walls up, but Jesus keeps ‘em standin’
He doesn’t need us, but He lets us put our hands in
So we can see His love is bigger than you and me.”
~Cademon’s Call (Two Weeks in Africa)
Our community—not to mention our nation and world—is filled with vulnerable, hurting people. We ourselves are vulnerable, hurting, needy people, but Jesus came to heal and meet these needs. Christ’s gift of salvation may be our ultimate need, but let’s not ignore His example. What if we looked at “making disciples,” as more than just the words we speak and the stories we share. Scripture can only change our life if we apply it!
Matthew 15: 29-38
In this passage we see Jesus walking beside the sea of Galilee. He finds a seat on the mountain and great crowds begin to come to him asking for healing. He doesn’t turn them away. He doesn’t give them the stipulation of hearing a sermon before or after meeting their needs. After all this He calls to His disciples and says, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” Following these words, Jesus performs the miracle of feeding thousands from seven loaves and a few small fish.
Jesus met our biggest need (salvation from sin) but still has compassion for our daily struggles. We often separate meeting physical needs from sharing the gospel, but that isn’t the example we see in the life of Christ. We are each gifted uniquely by God and these gifts are for the benefit of others. What if we, the Church, stepped up right now? What if we feed the hungry, help the sick, the depressed, the hurting and lonely? What if we give the world a picture of what Jesus is really like. His earthly example was more than words—His truth also came by His actions.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.