Monday, August 18, 2014
Matthew 13:1-3 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then He told them many things in parables ...
TIRELESS JESUS
It had been an especially stressful period in the Lord's ministry. He had spent the day ministering to the needs of people living in the bustling seaside city of Capernaum. He had healed the sick, cured the demon-possessed. He worked hard to bring souls lost in unbelief's darkness to Himself by the preaching of the Gospel Word. Along the way He had to suffer hatred from enemies who accused Him of doing miracles by Satan's power. He put up with misguided family members who, thinking He was going way overboard in His service to others, tried to get Him to quit.
If we had faced such obstacles I think we would have been tempted to say: "Enough already! I need a break! Think I'll go home." Not Jesus! In the fervency of His love for souls He came to save, He spent the balance of day working to gain additional souls for His kingdom. He walked down to the Lake Galilee shore, stepped into a boat, had it rowed out a ways, and from that makeshift pulpit continued teaching the words of eternal life to all who would listen. What dedication! What love!
Still today the Savior works tirelessly for the salvation of souls, yours and mine included. In love He continues to send people like pastors, teachers, parents, family members, and Christian friends into our circle of life to instruct us in the way of salvation. To tell us all about what Christ did to rescue us from sin and death by His holy life and innocent death, that we might be His forever.
O Bringer of salvation, Who wondrously has wrought
Thyself the revelation Of love beyond our thought,
We worship Thee, we bless Thee, To Thee, O Christ, we sing;
We praise Thee and confess Thee, Our holy Lord and King.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 352:2)
