Directed or Applauded?

Directed or Applauded?

At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” Luke 4:42‭-‬43 NIV

The Context:

Let's look at the chapter where today's extract is taken from. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where he was tempted. There was nobody there except him, but we read of the devil's attempts to derail and distract him. We see how he overcame, and that the devil left him for a season. A life that will make impact for God is first sorted out in the secret place. 

It was in the power of the Holy Spirit that he burst unto the scene in Galilee, and the fame of him spread round about the entire region. He came into Nazareth, and taught with authority, and with signs and wonders following. In fact, right there in the temple, where the revelation of him was made known, was his first conflict with the people of his time. They wanted to kill him for blasphemy, but he simply walked on and left. The same chapter, a demon-possessed man was made whole. In the same chapter, Peter's mother in law, who was sick, was made whole. That same evening, the whole town came with their sick and the Bible records that he laid his hands on EVERY single one of them, and healed them. Public ministry flows out of private devotion. Men would see the mighty things done, but they will not see the nights of prayers and seeking God. They will applaud the awesome miracles but will not or cannot pay the price to be used by God in the same way. 

The Message:

Be careful of human applause and approval, and a life that is constantly in the public eye. There is nothing wrong with a public ministry, but is it really founded on private devotion and commitment to God? In one chapter, whole families and communities had been impacted by the public ministry of Jesus, but what would Jesus do following these mighty works - he departed to a solitary place. Men of our day will linger in the place of miracles, seeking the adulation and recognition that come with these. I learn from the life of Jesus: public opinion is NEVER the measure of a life of impact.

Of course, when your life has been impacted by someone, you want them near you every time. The people came looking for Jesus, seeking that he never leave, just as they did at other times. Remember the feeding of the 5,000, where men wanted to come and make him king by force. His response holds some truths for us in our own day:

1. Every life, everywhere is precious to God. We cannot secure anyone's life on our own, but we can introduce them to the one who is able to secure it. That is the eternal impact God wants me to make in a man's life.

2. I must know with clarity and certainty what I have been gifted and where I have been planted to make impact. If I do not clarify that, it is men who will direct and run my life on my behalf.

3. I must know who I am working for, and why I am working. If I know it is for God, I will always seek his approval

 If I am not sure, I will certainly seek confirmation from other sources. Men's approval of me isn't the measure of impact; God is. His work for me is defined by him, not what man says. Man only looks for what answers to his immediate need.

4. The message must be about the kingdom of God, and it is a message for all men everywhere. I am not called to play God in the lives of men, deciding who gets to hear about God from me, but it is a message for all generations. Because there is visible success somewhere does not mean I must pitch a tent there. God may intend that a life is touched here, or a whole town is touched there, but that determination isn't mine to make; it is God's. Mine is to follow closely where he leads at all times, so I can be where his power, presence and blessings can reach me. 

The Response:

I see the words MUST PROCLAIM in today's extract, and it has to be the summary of my life. That is my assignment. It is the focus of the Great Commission. It is not a choice, but a commitment. All who claim to follow Christ have the mandate to proclaim. Guess the important questions then are: Am I born again? Do I know this Jesus on a personal level and have I received my marching orders? Have I defined my assignment, clear on who is my master and director, where I am to work, who I am to impact, and how I am to get the work done? When I am sure of these, I don't get distracted. Nothing of this world appeals to the man whose heart is set on God. 

I must take stock again right now: do I know why I am alive at this time? Who or what am I preserved to promote? May God's perfect will be made clear to me, so that my pursuits and priorities will line up with God's perfect will. His time of favour is here.