As we serve, we must be careful not to miss the "one". Christ has given us the commission to go into the whole world and preach the Gospel. The task is great and there are many who need the touch of Jesus. Yet, we need to follow Christ's example.
Jesus came to save the world, but didn’t miss every opportunity to touch individual lives. We have many examples of this in Jesus life. We have the story of Jesus touching the life of the Samaritan woman. (John 4:1-36) He was on his way to minister in Galilee when he chose to go through Samaria. As he was resting by Jacob's well. The Samaritan woman came to draw water. There were many reasons that he could of used to ignore this sinful woman. Yet, he chose to bring her unto salvation.
Another good example is while Jesus is in the middle of a teaching session with the religious leaders of his day. Parents begin bringing their children to Jesus to bless them. The disciples rebuke these parents for disturbing Jesus. Logically, they had every right to rebuke. There was a large crowd listening to him after he healed many. Jesus was busy teaching and healing. Yet, God took the time to minister to these children. (Matthew 19:1-15)
How often in the business of doing God's work or the business of life, we do not take the time to minister to the one who needs us. Our eyes are fixed on the crowds. Our eyes are fixed on the larger picture. We are focused on the master plan. We are focused on ministering to the many and overlook the one right there in front of us.
In Luke 18:31-42, we see Jesus on the way to Jerusalem. He has just told his disciples that He is going to be handed over to the rulers, be killed and raised from the grave. He knows the time is at hand to give up his life to bring salvation to all man kind. You can be assured that the wait of the world was on His shoulders.
As he is going through Jericho a blind beggar cries out to Jesus. The crowds who are following Jesus tells him to be quiet. Yet, Jesus stops and orders the man to be brought to Him. He then heals the man of his blindness. What importance was the healing of the blind man in the greater scheme of things.
I think most of us would of not given the blind beggar the time of day. Our minds would of been focused on the task at hand. We would have been burdened down with the wait of the mission.
Also, while Jesus is walking on the road through Jericho to Jerusalem. He calls to Zacchaeus in a tree and says I am coming to your house to eat. (Luke 19:1-9) I would have fallen out of the tree with surprise that Jesus new me by name and that he wanted to eat with me. Take note in this passage that it says that Jesus was passing through Jericho. Jercho wasn't His destination. Jerusalem and the cross was his destination. Yet, he took time out to eat with Zacchaeus and bring salvation to his home. What importance was Zacchaeus salvation compared to the salvation of all humanity. Yet, the Bible says that all the angels in heaven rejoice over on lost soul.
As we go on with our busy lives, let us not overlook the one right in front of us who needs a word of encouragement, and a word of instruction. Let us not overlook the need of the one while we try to meet our need and the need of the many. Let us put some time aside for the "one".
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