Beyond a Message

Matthew 4:23-25

The redemptive presence of Jesus brings good news, compassion and healing. People came from as far as over one hundred miles away to see Jesus, because of what they had heard his presence brought. He was preaching the good news of God’s reign as King of all that is. This news, however, was followed by evidence of God’s reign through the healing of EVERY disease and sickness as well as exorcisms among the masses. Large crowds from all around followed Jesus. The news spread like wildfire! It is amazing what happens when Jesus’ redemptive presence is manifested in visible ways. With Jesus, it wasn’t just kingdom words spoken it was redemptive deeds done.

But, what does that mean for our day? How is the redemptive presence of Jesus being displayed through His Body, the church? The question is not about our steeples and Sundays but the everyday lives that we live among broken people. Some of the people with whom we are in contact have brokenness that plagues their lives and you can’t see it – bad marriages, runaway children, financial disaster, potential job loss, depression…the list goes on. Are you in the position of heart, mind and vision for God to utilize you as His visible presence and activity in the lives of such people?

Are you willing to slow down enough to see the people around you? What cries for help do you hear? What need for support and encouragement do you see? What will you do?

“God will you display your transforming and healing power in and through me as you did in Jesus’ day? Help me to believe you for the broken lives that surround me daily. Help me to understand the role you would have me to play and help me to be faithful.”

Hunger Satisfied?

Matthew 4:1-11

When you are seeking to practice the redemptive presence of Jesus, those who are against Jesus will show up on the scene. There will be attempts to distract and even destroy. Such attempts must be resisted – the urge for glory, power, position, possessions…must be cast aside. Jesus faced the strongest force of all, Satan himself. The devil did all that he could to tempt Jesus away from His calling as a redeemer, but Jesus was undaunted. This was not the last attempt the devil would make to distract this man’s humanness. Jesus, the Son of God, knew the ramifications of not being faithful to the agreed upon means for redeeming the world He, the Father, and the Spirit had created. He stood as a stalwart upon that redemptive vision.

How about you? When the enemy, people, or circumstances come against God’s redemptive work in and through your life what do you do? How do you handle the temptation to pursue glory, power, position, and possessions? Do you stand firm or flounder? The One who stood firm for you can stand firm in you. Surrender only to your Redeemer.

“Father, help me to stand against the multitude of enemies that enter my world at every turn. You are my strength and my fortress.”

© Chuck Coward 2008