"My little daughter is dying," [###] said. "Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live."
Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding around him.
—Mark 5:23-24 NLT
We can easily make Jesus into a two-dimensional caricature of himself. He loved the poor, the weak, the downtrodden, the forgotten, and the marginalized and spoke harshly of those who abused their power and those who were hypocritical in their religion. Reality, however, dictates that we recognize that Jesus loves all people regardless of their social standing, economic circumstances, religious identity, gender, race, or background. Jesus came looking for those seeking God and recognized their need for God's work in their lives. So Jesus went with this man who was in many ways similar to those who would persecute and oppose him and would ultimately demand his crucifixion. Why did he go? Because he loved the man and because the man recognized his need for Jesus' help. This understanding leaves you and me with three important messages:
LORD God, Sovereign over all creation and the Father of all nations, please open my heart and my eyes to love all kinds of people like your Son demonstrated during his earthly ministry and now does from heaven. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2024 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by ### and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding around him.
—Mark 5:23-24 NLT
Key Thought
We can easily make Jesus into a two-dimensional caricature of himself. He loved the poor, the weak, the downtrodden, the forgotten, and the marginalized and spoke harshly of those who abused their power and those who were hypocritical in their religion. Reality, however, dictates that we recognize that Jesus loves all people regardless of their social standing, economic circumstances, religious identity, gender, race, or background. Jesus came looking for those seeking God and recognized their need for God's work in their lives. So Jesus went with this man who was in many ways similar to those who would persecute and oppose him and would ultimately demand his crucifixion. Why did he go? Because he loved the man and because the man recognized his need for Jesus' help. This understanding leaves you and me with three important messages:
- Jesus loves us no matter what our background or past may be.
- He longs for us to admit our need for him and ask for his help.
- As Jesus' followers, we are called to love all people, too!
Today's Prayer
LORD God, Sovereign over all creation and the Father of all nations, please open my heart and my eyes to love all kinds of people like your Son demonstrated during his earthly ministry and now does from heaven. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2024 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by ### and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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