Jesus' strategic and yet tactically excellent ministry
S - Mark 5:39-43 (NASB)
“Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.” 40 They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He *took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and *entered the room where the child was. 41 Taking the child by the hand, He *said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl got up andbegan to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded. 43 And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that something should be given her to eat.
O - I believe at all times Jesus knew exactly what he was doing and for what purpose. His 3 year mission was strategic at all points, as He was led by God the Father to minister to the people. So why did in this case Jesus choose to stop and heal the synagogue leaders dead daughter, and then command the parents to let no one know about it. It is often commented on that the reason Jesus asked people not to tell anyone is because it was not the final time for him yet, and that if the both the crowd following him, and the people coming against him grew to rapidly it, would not enable him to accomplish all that He needed to before His sacrifice on the cross. But that doesn't quite answer why he healed the girl in this case. The answer I believe is because he had to be true to who he was, compassionate to the genuinely faithful. That part of His character he could not deny, so those that came to him with genuine faith in who he was and what he could do he humbly served. The humble servant model that he examples is one of willingness to serve despite great risk and potential distraction from the mission at at. At the same time Jesus knew he needed to example to James, John, and Peter, the fullness of the ministry that they would one day carry out themselves, and that the stories that would be written and shared long after Jesus's death and resurrection would be what fuels the faith and purpose of the new covenant church. So in summary Jesus was both extremely strategic in his long term vision for the church, but also excellently tactical in his ministry of love and compassion.
A - The application for me is to follow the example of the greatest leader to ever live, Jesus Christ. I am to lead like Jesus, with a long term strategic goal in mind, but with an immediate love and compassion for God and His people. The humble, yet powerful ministry of Christ is one that we can all example, as we desire to see major impacts on people's lives, but desire not fame or glory to be attributed to ourselves, but to all point to the glory of God, and for the purposes of restoring his kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion, may it be sealed to my heart. I pray Lord that you help me to see the opportunities to see and serve your people in ways that glorify your name, and move your people closer to the kingdom of God. I pray that that you would continue to train and equip me in your kingdom ways. I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.
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