Luke 5
I am Willing!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, May 13.
I spent close to a dozen years on active duty military service in the US Army. It was an all-volunteer army which means that every single person who was following orders allowed their own lives to be significantly inconvenienced for the sake of the mission—these veterans, my brothers and sisters, were willing to sacrifice their own freedoms to defend the freedoms of those who either could not or would not do the same for them. I honor our veterans and I pray for them.
In Luke 5:12-13, a man “covered with leprosy” begged Jesus, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” “Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man, ‘I am willing,’ He said, ‘Be clean!’ And immediately the leprosy left him.”
What a wonderful miracle! What was Jesus’ next move? In our experience with religion, a revival tent would have gone up in verse 15 to accommodate the “crowds of people” who wanted to hear Jesus and be healed. But that wasn’t Jesus’ next move! Verse 16 says, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
Jesus was on a mission and while most people hear that kind of language about Jesus’ life, they may not realize that this is military language. Jesus was under orders from His Father so while the people wanted to take control of his plans and schedules, Jesus broke off to listen to His Father. Rather than following the crowds, Jesus stayed on mission!
You see, being on mission means you have to know your marching orders from God for each and every day.
Seize the moment: Before you let other people take over your life in the name of Christian charity or church volunteerism, spend some time with God to listen to your day’s marching orders. Who is directing your steps—your emotions, other people, or God?
FBC wants to help you in practical ways, so please dial the phone number below if you would like someone to call you today. We are praying for you!