If It Was Easy…Everyone Would Be Doing It!

Jesus returned to the Sea of Galilee and climbed a hill and sat down. A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn't speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all. The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn't been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel. Matthew 15:29-31

Sea of Galilee

Jesus taught and He healed. In this passage He just couldn’t get away from people. They followed Him up a hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee and they brought all their sick family, friends and neighbors along with them. Jesus’ healing reputation was growing by the day, amazing the crowds. They were praising the God of Israel. They recognized who had that power for healing. God. Those people couldn’t heal themselves…they needed God. If it was easy to heal, everyone would be doing it. 

Someone pointed out to me last night that if teaching and leading were easy…everyone would be doing it. Teaching a Bible Study or leading a discussion group is not easy…so not everyone is capable of doing it. I see teaching as a gift…a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Teaching. That was NOT a career I wanted to have. I considered being an elementary teacher until I was in the seventh grade as saw some kids put tacks on the teacher’s chair thinking it would be a real hoot to see him sit on those tacks. But he didn’t sit on them…another student knelt on his chair to ask him a question and she got a tack stuck in her knee. I knew then that I would NEVER be a public school teacher. I’ve discovered that teaching or facilitating a discussion group on a volunteer basis has its challenges, too. No tacks, but I think God is trying to teach me something with the groups I’ve been leading lately…and I’m ready for this lesson to be over. Dare I say that I know what persecution feels like—and a few weeks ago I said that most Christians today in American just don’t face persecution. We are part of the Body of Christ—so as one part suffers…we all suffer. We suffer with our brothers and sisters in the Middle Eastern countries. They face death—true martyrdom for their belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Are you prepared for martyrdom? Will you stand up for Jesus? If it was easy…everyone would be doing it. 

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, I love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Have mercy on my Christian brothers and sisters around the world who have stood up for You. Give us grace and strength  to do the same if we are ever faced with that choice.

Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 15; Mark 7

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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