Get Them to Jesus
Revelation 22:14-17 (NKJV)
“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
In the story of Jesus’ ministry, crowds were a common theme. People came from all over to see Him, to hear His words, and to experience His miracles. But we know that crowds can sometimes be a barrier to the very thing they are supposed to be supporting: access to Jesus. Think about the crowds that surrounded Jesus, especially during His final days. They were often concerned about their own needs, about what they could get from Him. Yet, those who truly needed Him—the sick, the hurting, the broken—were often left struggling to even get close.
This is why the crowd should not make it harder to access Jesus, but easier. We see this clearly illustrated in Mark 2:1-12, where the paralyzed man’s friends were so determined to get him to Jesus that they climbed onto the roof and lowered him down. The crowd didn’t just fail to make room for the hurting man—they actively blocked his access. But his friends wouldn’t let that stop them. They knew the value of getting to Jesus.
In our own churches, we must ensure that our gatherings are not about us. The crowds shouldn’t make it harder to come to Jesus; the church should be the place where all feel welcome, regardless of their past or present struggles. As we gather, let us not focus on our comfort or our needs. Let us always be mindful of those who are outside the doors, struggling to get in. The church should be the place where Jesus is accessible to all. And we, as His body, are called to make that possible.
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me when I allow the crowds to distract me from Your mission. Help me to always remember that the purpose of Your church is to make it easier for others to encounter You, not more difficult. Open my eyes to those around me who are struggling to get to You, and give me the courage to clear the path for them. May Your invitation to come be heard and received by all, through my actions and my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
In the story of Jesus’ ministry, crowds were a common theme. People came from all over to see Him, to hear His words, and to experience His miracles. But we know that crowds can sometimes be a barrier to the very thing they are supposed to be supporting: access to Jesus. Think about the crowds that surrounded Jesus, especially during His final days. They were often concerned about their own needs, about what they could get from Him. Yet, those who truly needed Him—the sick, the hurting, the broken—were often left struggling to even get close.
This is why the crowd should not make it harder to access Jesus, but easier. We see this clearly illustrated in Mark 2:1-12, where the paralyzed man’s friends were so determined to get him to Jesus that they climbed onto the roof and lowered him down. The crowd didn’t just fail to make room for the hurting man—they actively blocked his access. But his friends wouldn’t let that stop them. They knew the value of getting to Jesus.
In our own churches, we must ensure that our gatherings are not about us. The crowds shouldn’t make it harder to come to Jesus; the church should be the place where all feel welcome, regardless of their past or present struggles. As we gather, let us not focus on our comfort or our needs. Let us always be mindful of those who are outside the doors, struggling to get in. The church should be the place where Jesus is accessible to all. And we, as His body, are called to make that possible.
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me when I allow the crowds to distract me from Your mission. Help me to always remember that the purpose of Your church is to make it easier for others to encounter You, not more difficult. Open my eyes to those around me who are struggling to get to You, and give me the courage to clear the path for them. May Your invitation to come be heard and received by all, through my actions and my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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