(Sorry for the delay. Schedule got pushed out of whack yesterday. Hoping whack returns today.)

Genesis 25-26 Matthew 8:1-17 (NCV)

“When Jesus came down from the hill, great crowds followed him. Then a man with a skin disease came to Jesus. The man bowed down before him and said, ‘Lord, you can heal me if you will.’” (Matthew 8:1-2)

Jesus came to seek and save those who were lost. He wanted to proclaim the kingdom of God. He had just finished one of His greatest teaching sessions ever with the Sermon on the Mount. Then what happened? He came down from the mountain, or the hill, if you will, and was bombarded with health concerns from people who needed healing. A man with leprosy reminded Jesus that He had the power to heal, hoping for the will; a soldier asked for the health of a servant, while recognizing that Jesus had power over the forces of darkness; Peter’s mother-in-law was healed so that she could serve the food bringing forth requests from all around the neighborhood. As much as Jesus wanted to focus on proclaiming the kingdom of God, He took the time to meet the needs of the people.

A pastor in Rwanda noted that our ministry as Christians needs to be done with two hands. With one hand, we proclaim the gospel, the good news, of Jesus Christ. With the other hand, we reach out and meet needs of the people around us. Full ministry doesn’t worry about the discussion between proclaiming the gospel and engaging in the “social gospel.” Full ministry meets people’s needs and proclaims the good news of Jesus at the same time.

Lord, help me to see people who are hurting. Help me to meet needs and share Your grace at the same time.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.