December 8: Matthew 9:27-31
Key Verse: Matthew 9:31
But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
Devotion:
One of the things Jesus did on many occasions when He healed people was to tell them not to publicise the events. But, as we see here on this occasion the people who were blind and given sight by Christ went out and told everyone they could. Jesus was in the height of His ministry and did not want people to go and brag about His miracles to the Pharisees and the leaders of the church at the time otherwise they would seek to kill Him quicker than expected.
Even though Jesus knew the people He healed would go and spread the news to everyone, He also had so much love and compassion for the people He would not stop healing the poorly. The disciples may well have continued to write about all the things Jesus did had these people kept quiet, but on the other hand those people who needed healing the most may not have had the courage to come forward and be healed had they not heard from so many.
The more we show people how much God does in our lives the more likely they will come forward and try find out more about Him. The more people get to know about Jesus the more the good news will continue to spread. Jesus has already paid the price so we should be more than willing to tell of the good news nowadays.
But one thing we do need to do more of is to listen to Him and not to the people around us. I still do get persuaded at times by people around me to stop doing things and some of those people are church leaders. I continue to pray I will hear God’s words louder than the people’s voices so I can do His will!
Points to Ponder:
Who do you listen to most in your life?
How much do you really listen to God?