Crowds
Good Morning,
Mark 7:37 "And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well…”
In His three-year ministry, every message was perfect, Spirit-filled, and exactly what God wanted said. Every step was taken in an honorable way; never was there a look or feeling that was inappropriate for the given moment.
Every touch of his hand was anointed by God. Every time eye contact was made, it expressed perfection and holiness, and it communicated the heart of God.
Jesus walked for three years while living a perfect life, sinless, self-sacrificing, and surrendered to the will of His father. The political effect on his country was almost nonexistent. His impact on the religion of His nation seemed, for the moment at least, insignificant. His perfect life, associated with a perfect ministry, was anointed more than any preacher could ever be anointed, yet resulted in a fairly small crowd of believers who followed him. From a distance, there were some who admired and even listened, but they were not willing to be close. Some believers walked closely, but when the risk became too high, they fled – remember, this was God in the flesh!
If our church had a perfect pastor, and the auditorium was filled with perfect church members, the outward results might be less than we would think. The product of our ministry, if completely run by perfect people, would certainly be more limited than we in our flesh can visualize.
If the effect the Saviour had on the people of His community was so limited, what can we expect? There are simply not many people who care. Few people are willing to say, “No” to the world, the flesh, and the devil, and say, “Yes” to Christ. The masses of humanity are, at best, godless, and, tragically, have no desire for anything more.
Look at the ministry of Elijah. There were hundreds of prophets of Baal, but one Elijah. There were hundreds of others who would not bow the knee to Baal, but Elijah did not know about them. For the most part, Elijah stood alone.
None of this is to state that we cannot make an impact; these words are not written to discourage those seeking to do something great. These biblical truths are simply written to remind us that we are but dust, flesh and blood, and prone to wander. Anything good that happens is because of God’s mercy and grace working through us. Every soul saved is a miracle. Every new family growing in grace and serving in the church is a work of God! Missionaries have served the Lord in Africa for over 200 years, and the entire continent seems as godless as it could be; but remember, we preachers are but flesh, and most people are simply not interested in a crucified life or in surrendering their will to Jesus Christ.
John 8:29 “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.”
vs. 30 “As he spake these words, many believed on him.”
What a statement, “I do always those things that please him.” Something none of us can say, yet our Saviour only reached a few in His generation numerically. The effect of Jesus and His ministry has reached believers for over two thousand years after his time on earth.
What a statement: “I do always those things that please him.” This is a statement that none of us can honestly state. Even our Saviour only reached a few people in His generation numerically, but the eternal effect of Jesus and His ministry has reached believers for over two thousand years. We do not know, nor can we see what is truly being accomplished by the Word of God. We must leave that to Him.
Pastor