Hold On

Luke 4:42-44  At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea. 


Just before the passage I chose Jesus healed everyone that came to Simon Peter's door the night before. In the morning they came to find Jesus to make assure that he would stay and continue to bless their town with his power. You can imagine how people might want to have Jesus around for healings and miracles upon demand. I'm sure they were discouraged or at least disappointed when Jesus left to proclaim the good news elsewhere.


Little did we know that the most precious gifts of Jesus were to become available to all. The good not only spread from Jesus own proclamations, but through the believers he left behind, especially once empowered by the Holy Spirit. Physical, emotional and spiritual healing was available to all who believed in Jesus. It seems funny that modern believers who should know that Jesus has no limits, still seem to want to keep him for themselves. Jesus is still wanting to be part of the proclamation to all people everywhere, but many want to just hold onto him for themselves as if we could run out of his blessings.


For a long time I've seen the new covenant grace as a parallel to the old covenant manna. Manna had to be used on the day it was collected or it would spoil. I believe our grace is too often spoiled because we try to hold on to it, like a spiritual hoarder. Grace must be given away in order to bless us. It will be a joy for us and a joy for those to whom iy is given. Double blessing from a single source. God is good.