Matthew 12:15-21 ~ in His name the nations will put their hope.

 

The Return of the Prodigal Son, by Rembrandt van Rijn. Luke 15:11-32.  

Luke 15: 20

So he got up and went to his father.

      "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

Matthew 12:15-21

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Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, 16 warning them not to tell who he was. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

 18 "Here is my servant whom I have chosen,

      the one I love, in whom I delight;

   I will put my Spirit on him,

      and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

 19 He will not quarrel or cry out;

      no one will hear his voice in the streets.

 20 A bruised reed he will not break,

      and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,

   till he leads justice to victory.

    21 In his name the nations will put their hope."

[Isaiah 42:1-4]

Matthew 1:21

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

At our Church, everyone has been asked to join a small group to work on the book “Just Walk Across the Room” by Bill Hybels. I adore my small group, I’ve known them all about 10 years. Evangelism is a difficult subject; I’ve planted seeds for 31 years and don’t know how God has watered them. We did ‘cliff notes’ on the book this last week (our book shipment is still in transit), it seems reasonable and balanced. When we love the Lord, we know He is the Father running to His son – we are that child of God. We want to share God’s love.

Matthew 3:17

And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Luke 9:34-35

While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him."

John 14:1-3

1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going."

My Facebook discussion today was with some of my friends from my Pennsylvania High School; I never knew John Lennon had a born-again portion of his life (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/music/news/2007/001-22.0.html)  and wasn’t aware Bob Dylan claims off and on to have left his behind.  Reading about the pressure to leave faith in Jesus’ salvation, it would be really tough to endure on a public scale. I haven’t ever had public pressure like that to leave my faith, but I have lost a child. I realized that apart from Jesus Christ, I have no good. The waters in life are too swift and deep for me to claim I row or steer my voyage in life without help. His Help. His Comforter. 

The Christian call to witness and evangelize, when taken seriously, can be overwhelming. But we should look to the Words God spoke to us. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God.

There is too much beauty in life, in God’s eternal promises, not to rejoice! 

      Jesus, the one I love, in whom I delight;

His Holy Spirit

      and He will proclaim justice to the nations.

He will not quarrel or cry out;

      no one will hear his voice in the streets.

Let us be the praise He hears, we will sing!

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