A paralyzed man needed to be able to walk
A bleeding woman needed to be healed from her disease
A father needed his little girl to be raised to life
Two blind men needed their sight
A mute man needed to speak
Each of these needs required faith for Jesus to heal and restore. Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to Him, "Yes,Lord." Sometimes we think it is "too late" for God to help us, but faith means that God, through believing, can change things that sometimes seem unchangeable. No job is too big for God - remember with God nothing is impossible.
Do you suppose that anyone in that day would have pictured Matthew as a follower of Jesus - a changed man? He was a tax collector - despised and hated by the Jews, a social outcast. Yet, as Jesus passed by and called him, you see the transforming power of Jesus on his life. Immediately Matthew wanted to share his new life with other people. He gave a feast at his house and invited his friends. When we are called to Jesus, do we invite our "former friends"? Or are we now concerned about the company we keep or who we associate with? Are we self-righteous? Do I share my faith with those who need it the most? People need the Lord . . .
Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick (Mt. 9:12)
And who did Jesus call as his first disciples? Men with personal failings, some with and some without education, men with reputations, one with a temper; rich and poor, fishermen, common men - ordinary people. Many think that Jesus will call on the few, the brave, the elect. But this is not true. He is looking for real people - ordinary people - changed by His love and grace.
By the way, when He "called" them - He called them to come with Him. Too often I think I want Jesus to come with me. I want Him to fit into my schedule, my plans, my activities, my dreams. But it doesn't work like that, does it? Being a disciple of Jesus means that I go with Him - that I do what He asks me to do and walk where He wants me to walk. He called his disciples to take his love to the people.
People need the Lord - and by being his disciple, I can take Jesus where the needs are. Maybe it's not to Zimbuckto - it might only be across the street, the grocery store, or to my own family. That's why he called the Twelve - to come with Him and learn of Him - for his yoke is easy and his burden light. Then after being with Jesus, they could go to the people.
We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right.
What could be too great a cost
For sharing Life with one who's lost?
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize that people need the Lord?
