08/01/2017
Does Jesus preach in your city? God often tells us to do a certain thing; to reach out to someone, or to establish a church in some place, but once we experience the power of that happening, we are inclined to remain there in that moment or place. How often do we get in God's way once the job is done? How often does Jesus come to take the pulpit only to find us there?
Jesus taught and preached in the cities of His apostles. He instructed each of them, but the job of reaching out to those in their cities fell to Him. His desire for them was elsewhere. Our pride often leads us to remain where the glory of God is still fresh, and to claim some of that for ourselves, but the moment and that praise, is His alone. He has used us to build a crescendo, but now He wants to step in and deliver the climax... to complete what has been started.
“When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.”
Matthew 11:1 ESV
When we experience something holy we want to camp out there and never leave, but that isn't what Jesus desires us to do. He wants us to do exactly what we have been instructed by God to do and then, if the Lord send us elsewhere, to skedaddle... to get out of His way.
In an operating room the most skilled surgeon will often ask one of his students to open the incision for him (or her) and then to step aside as he performs the delicate surgery. After his work is complete, then he asks another of them to close up the wound and a nurse to dress it. Jesus did this with His disciples, and He often does it with us as well. We can lead someone to Christ, but then we must step out of the way while Jesus deals with the heart and soul we have prepared for Him... we need to move aside and let Him take charge of our city. This is contrary to our nature and takes restraint and obedience on our part.
A good example of this is when Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on the mountain and they witnessed Moses and Elias speaking with Him and heard the voice of God. The moment was incredibly Holy and in their overwhelming excitement with being this close to God, they never wanted to leave... they wanted to stay right there; to construct structures and remain in the presence of God forever; but God desired that they move on and use what they had just learned. Listen to Peter...
“Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.”
Matthew 17:4 KJV
Lead surgeons don't desire for those who assist in an operation to remain between themselves and their patients, and Jesus wants us to move out of His way too. The operating room is a dynamic, yet temporary, place, and no one stays or lives there beyond the few minutes in which the incision remains open. There is too much work to be done for anyone to do more than tarry for a moment.
Jesus tells us when to stay and when to go, He fills the void when we leave with His presence, and with that of the Holy Spirit, but this can't happen if we are in the way. Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would come upon them, but if you notice He instructed them to "linger" in Jerusalem until this occurs... not to stay there.
“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
Luke 24:47-49 KJV
It is incredibly important for us to hear the call of God and to obey it, but it is just as important to step aside when He desires to teach and preach in the city we like to call our own. Sometimes our very nature makes this handoff a messy affair... we just don't want to let go.
I love watching track and field, and one of my favorite events is the 4x100 relay. This event combines amazing speed with the fluid and delicate handing off of the baton. A team might have the fastest runners on the track, but lose the race because their handoffs were not clean... someone holds on too long, the baton is dropped, or the handoff does not occur within the distance allotted for this to happen. Have you ever wondered if you are handing off to God when it is His turn to anchor the race? When your leg of the race has been run and a soul has been led to Him have you smoothly handed the baton to the Lord so that victory could be realized? This requires great coordination between the runners and is as important as the blazing speed of the running itself.
Come when God calls, and go when He arrives to take over. It is a delicate and yet painful transition. How often do we confuse who we serve? It is so tempting to become involved in the calling to the point where we think we are duty bound to serve the call... when in fact it is God's will we serve. Does Jesus preach in your city?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for calling me to serve you, and I pray that when you arrive to take the pulpit that I step aside gracefully. Holy Father, it is you and your will that I seek to honor, and in which I place my trust. Whether you place me for a minute, a year, or a lifetime... let me always be ready and willing to yield to you when you come to preach and teach in the city I have prepared for your arrival. Jesus taught in the cities of His apostles, and Father, I long for you to teach in mine. Your arrival signals a job well done in me, and I drop to my knees before you. Send me Lord, and let me answer your call with eagerness, and then call me away when it is your will, and let me go with equal eagerness, because as Jesus said that He must go that the comforter could come, so I must go so that your will can be done.
Rich Forbes