“When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. And a man with leprosy came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean. Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” (John 14:6-7 NASB)
This Monday Short meditation emphasizes something that came out, unplanned and unscripted in my sermon. My wife, a Certified Diversity and Inclusion Officer, brought them to my attention. She focused on two unscripted, but uplifting comments that I made, unplanned observations. But that’s how it goes sometimes. The Lord will show you something that you skipped in your preparation that is of great importance. You have no choice but to share what He uncovers.
If we look at Jesus’ example in the verses above, the same ones that I used as my text yesterday, we see two things we should emulate. First, note that Jesus had been teaching on the mountain. He had just finished what is referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. Yet notice these observations: (1) Jesus did not let weariness or the fact that He could have been tired from attending to one of the purposes in His assigned ministry. Nothing stopped Him from continuing to meet the need to set free those who are downtrodden, spiritually or physically. Being too tired was not an excuse. Deserving a break was not an excuse. Work awaiting Him in Capernaum was not an excuse. (2) The man’s condition, leprosy, his country of origin, his class standing, his cultural history, or any other category that the man fell into from a diversity perspective; none of that kept keep Jesus from ministering to him and changing his life for the better. Jesus just saw a man who needed Him to intervene. Inclusivity was demonstrated by the Master. Being pigeonholed in a diversified group was not an issue. We need to be blind to those things, and instead, see as Jesus saw. Amazing things will happen as a result!
Think what will happen when we start doing the same two things modeled by Jesus. Have a magnificent Monday! Stay God-conscious and Christ-centered, and disciple-determined. Remember both (1) and (2) above. Apply them as the opportunity presents itself to you. Be blessed!
“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?” (James 2:1-5 English Standard Version)
Mark L. King