“Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples; and a large crowd from Galilee followed Him; and also people from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and [from the region] beyond the Jordan, and around Tyre and Sidon; a vast number of people came to Him because they were hearing about all [the things] that He was doing.” (Mark 3:7-8 NASB)
A young man referenced the verses above and summarized it this way, “They were coming from everywhere to see Jesus. In spite of their different geographical locations, types of vocations, and their cultural, sociological indoctrinations, they had heard about Jesus and were coming to Him. Jesus is the epitomized model of inclusivity for the church, He added, “That’s not surprising when you stop and think of the Gospel in a Nutshell that lets us know that Jesus was sent to save whosoever believes in Him.” The young man continued to supplement his observation, “That’s not surprising, for you will agree if you refer to the biblical truth that lets us know that Jesus has not returned yet because He desires no one to perish,”
Those erudite explanations and exactly true expressions were not revealed to this young man based on the influence of those in his family tree. Yes, his grandfather was a Regional EEO officer for a government agency, but that is not what influenced this young man to make his remarks. Yes, his mother is a Certified Diversity Office and has been published, sharing her knowledge about diversity. Yes, his father was in years past, an executive and consultant in Human Resources, as well as college faculty member teaching upper-level Leadership courses at a big university. But listen, not any of that had any bearing on the observations the young man shared. Well, what was the source of influence? I’m glad you asked. Let me answer you with as few words as possible.
The Holy Spirit who dwells in him opened his eyes and revealed a specific message to share on a specific occasion, even though he was not teaching a Bible Study class or standing in the pulpit, preaching the word of God. The specific message was not just for me or listening ears at the time he shared his comments, but they are for you too, on this very blessed Tuesday morning! Specifically, they are to remind you, and me, that the Lord desires us to reach out to everybody and anybody. Therefore, we must not just witness to people who are like us, live by us, share the same type of background as we have, but rather we must reach out to everybody. If you are saying, “Make it plain, Mark?” – well, I will! Everybody needs to hear about Jesus so that they will come to Him! So, as the disciples were asked after Jesus’ ascension, as you will read in the verses below, “Why do you stand looking up to the sky?”, I will ask you the same thing using different words, applicable or appropriate for this moment in time. “Why are you just standing still watching the world around you when you should be witnessing to someone around you?” Think about this question on this October Tuesday morning. Be blessed!
“So, when they had come together, they began asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” But He said to them, “It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took Him up, out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, and they said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:6-11 NASB)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King