Sep 12, 2015

Accepting or Rejecting Jesus

kensummers Uncategorized 0 Comments

Today was a good day of some activity and guests. I attended the men’s ministry breakfast at Timberline. We heard an interesting presentation from a Fort Collins police officer on “Human Trafficking.” Also, this afternoon we enjoyed another visit from my friends Spencer Swalm and Leon Bandli. These two continue to be a great source of prayer and encouragement for both me and Debbie. We enjoyed lunch at another Fort Collins hot spot, the 415 Restaurant, recently featured on the Food Network.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “The people who saw this happen told the others how Jesus had made the man well.  All the people of the Gerasene country asked Jesus to leave, because they were all very afraid.…But the people [from Bethsaida] learned where Jesus went and followed him. He welcomed them and talked with them about God’s kingdom and healed those who needed to be healed.”   Luke 8:36,37;  Luke 9:11 NCV

As I was reading in Luke this morning the two reactions of the people of two different cities during Jesus’ ministry caught my attention. Have you ever taken a trip and the events that transpired caused you to conclude, “that was a waste of time”? In Luke 8 we see how that Jesus got into a boat to travel to the other side of the sea of Galilee to Gadra. The sea turns into a torrent caused by a storm. Jesus calms the storm as the disciples fear for their life. Jesus and the disciples then arrive on shore and is immediately met by a demonized man. Jesus casts the demons out of the man into some pigs nearby and a great miracle of deliverance has taken place.

Jesus does not even set foot in the city but the people come rushing out to see what has happened. The people saw the evidence of the great miracle, but didn’t know how to respond so out of fear they asked Jesus to leave. What did Jesus do? He left. He did not react as James and John did  when they were rejected by a Samaritan town. They asked Jesus, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven and destroy those people?” (Luke 9:54 NCV)

We know of Jesus’ reaction. I wonder how the disciples reacted? They had just risked their lives, barely surviving a vicious storm, encounter this famed demon possessed lunatic and then the people ask them to leave! We don’t know, but it seemed like the reaction of James and John later on would have been a tempting response.

In contrast, we see the people of Bethsaida seeking Jesus out when He was trying to get away privately with His disciples. Jesus doesn’t rebuke the people because He had other plans, instead we read, “He welcomed them and talked with them about God’s kingdom and healed those who needed to be healed.” (Luke 9:11) As a result we see there were so many people and they stayed so long, that it lead to Jesus performing the miracle of “feeding the five thousand.”

We simply see that Jesus did’ not force Himself on anyone. During His ministry He was rejected by individuals as well as towns. He was accepted and celebrated by individuals, crowds and towns. Those who welcomed Him heard His words and received the miracles; those who rejected Him did not receive anything. Where Jesus is welcomed, people are never the same, where He is rejected, life is always the same.

As I reflect on this I think of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem….how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. (Luke 13:34 NCV) Jesus also said, “I tell you the truth…anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.” (John 13:20 NLT) I also think of the words of the psalmist when he wrote, “Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.” (Psa. 24:7,8 NKJV)

Do you have an open heart for Jesus in your life? To reject Jesus is to rob yourself of His life, presence and blessing. To have an open heart allows you to receive Jesus’ words and miracles in your life.

Also, how do you react to those who reject you, especially for your faith? Jesus told His disciples, “Anyone who receives you receives me….” (Matt. 10:40 NLT) Jesus also said, “What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man.“ (Luke 6:22 NLT)
Our response should be the same as that of Jesus. Go where you are welcome, make a difference with those who are open. Don’t be afraid to stand with Jesus.