Articles
Jesus Had Time
Jesus had a lot to do. Within a span of about three years, He had to crisscross Judea, Samaria and Galilee – primarily on foot – and broadcast to all the coming of a spiritual kingdom. At the same time He had to correct the misguided teaching of the Rabbis; train His apostles to think globally; heal the diseased and demon-possessed by the thousands. He had to attend feasts in Jerusalem; face Satan after a forty-day fast; visit the homes of friends and foes alike for meals and religious discussions.
We would pardon such an ambitious man for keeping on schedule, holding “commoners” at arm’s length, employ “handlers” who would buffer Him from petty nuisances and interruptions. But such was not the case with Jesus.
As busy as He was, Jesus had time for …
1) A soul-searching conversation with Nicodemus – Jn 3.
2) A life-changing talk with a Samaritan woman – Jn 4.
3) A visit in the home of a despised tax-collector – Lk 19.
4) A desperate Gentile woman whose daughter was possessed – Mt 15.
5) A blind man crying out for mercy – Mk 10.
6) A young politician who was ruled by his riches and power – Mt 19.
I find this amazing, for in my rush to get things done, to be where I need to be when I need to be there, I tend to overlook people. Individual people. People that I might have a conversation with, that I might be able to influence for good even for a fleeting moment. Jesus knew when to concentrate on the multitudes, and He knew when one person needed Him. He never failed to give everyone exactly what they needed, even if not what they wanted. This is both a comfort and a challenge:
Comfort – Jesus knows us as individuals and is concerned about our personal struggles, weaknesses and needs. We aren’t lost in the crowd. “The Lord knows those who are His” (2 Tim 2:19).
Challenge – I must learn to slow down enough in the daily blitz of life to engage individuals. Think ahead: “What will I say if …?” Carry a church business card with your personal contact number on it. Share a spiritual thought with someone. Watch. Listen. “You are the light of the world.”
