Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him. Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him. He had healed many people that day, so all the sick people eagerly pushed forward to touch him. And whenever those possessed by evil spirits caught sight of him, the spirits would throw them to the ground in front of him shrieking, “You are the Son of God!” But Jesus sternly commanded the spirits not to reveal who he was. [Mark 3.7-12]
I don't know how accurate the Gospel of Mark is chronologically, but if it has any accuracy at all relative to the passage above and the passage below, there is a definite lesson for us:
Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, giving them authority to cast out demons. [Mark 3.13-15]
Jesus was thronged with people and their problems. So overwhelming was the crowd that Jesus recognized the need for a plan of escape. So overwhelming was the crowd that Jesus recognized the need for more ministry workers.
Why were all these people thronging to Jesus? Because their needs were great and only Jesus was offering any solution or remedy. When they heard of Jesus' miracles, they knew they must go to Him. The people were needy. They were, after all, just people.
What Jesus did in the second passage of scripture noted above reveals a great lesson to us - especially because we know everything Jesus instructed and prayed for His disciples is indicative of His instruction and prayer for us!
Jesus needed human help to help humans the way God intended it to happen. Sure, God could have just sent a wave of healing and help across the world, but that would have taken the human element out of it. We must remember that Jesus became human for a reason! That reason is much deeper than I am capable of explaining here, however, we can see some evidence of God's greater Kingdom purpose in Mark's record of Jesus' life and ministry here.
Jesus came to demonstrate to us how God wants us to live. If this were not a solid fact, there would have been no purpose whatsoever in Jesus ministering to people for three years! He could simply have come and died for our sins almost as soon as He started preaching (remember they tried to kill Him early on). So, we must acknowledge and understand that Jesus' three years of ministering on earth is full of ministry instruction for us!
The Gospel, as Jesus presented it, will indeed require an army of presenters if it is to be effective to all. One man can only give healing touches to so many people! One man can only speak life and direction to so many people. One man can only effectively minister to so many people.
I think the scriptures above testify to the fact that once Jesus was thronged by the crowds, we then see His delegation of the twelve apostles. Jesus 'started the fire' but it would require many many others to keep it burning.
But, here's the catch. the proof of ministry is in the people. If we, like Jesus our model, are effectively ministering to people, we will need help! Why? BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NEEDY AND WILL FLOCK TO REAL HELP!
People are sick - modern medicine would like us to believe it is advanced and making a difference - but the only real tangible difference is the amount of financial growth in the medical industry! People are still dying of cancer and all kinds of diseases. Oh sure, maybe people are living a bit longer - but isn't that the purpose of torture? Isn't torture designed not to kill immediately but to prolong the pain and agony? Besides, dead people don't need medicine or treatment!
I could go on and on and on about this topic today. But suffice it to say that Jesus showed us how to minister. It caused Him to be overcome by needy people. He assigned ministry duty to His apostles for no other purpose but to reach more people with the same ministry!
If we are not being overwhelmed by needy people, I think we need to ask ourselves if we are bringing the same ministry Jesus brought. The logical reason no one follows us is because we have nothing to offer.
I am sorry, It indicts me too...
Father, I see today my grave failure in ministering to people evidenced by the fact that no one is really seeking me out for what I give them. Help me to consider today what this means. Help me to strive to be like Jesus. Help me to see that I have nothing to give except what I have been given - and help me to admit it if I have not received anything because of my weak faith... It's not enough that I just live my life... I know You require my human effort to bring Your ministry to others.
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