As we conclude the I <3 Project at Live tonight I keep thinking about how Jesus demonstrated his love for people.
So often it was in one on one interactions that seemed small and inconsequential at the time.
One such interaction is found in Luke chapter eight:
As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding,and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped.
“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.”
But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” (Luke 8.42-48, NLT)
Jesus’ heart for people is revealed to us in this account.
He was busy. Jesus was on his way to help out a family in need. Walking through the crowded streets we can only imagine that the need among the people was great.
Yet, Jesus noticed even the smallest tug on his clothes.
Can you imagine the bewildered look on the disciples faces when Jesus asked, “Who touched me?”
Um… Jesus… there’s a huge crowd… everyone is trying to touch you.
Jesus was sensitive to the need of one woman among the thousands that likely surrounded him.
I want to have Jesus’ heart for people.
Let me clarify. I don’t often find myself surrounded and pressed in upon by adoring fans. However, I am a youth pastor, and we YPs love big nights, with lots of students.
I want to have a heart that is willing to slow down and stop if necessary to help out and minister to one.
I’m convinced that it was simple one on one encounters that drew people to Jesus. Yes, his teaching was incredible, his miracles amazing, but his sincere love for people set him apart.
I want Live Youth Church to be about loving the one(s) in our community.
At Live Youth Church we will extend love and grace to every individual student we come in contact with.
I bet if we truly had a reputation for reaching the one, the result would be a growing crowd.
