Welcomed By Many
Or
Waiting For Jesus
March 22, 2020
Scripture To Consider:
“So, it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him. And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as Jesus went, the multitudes thronged Him.” Luke 8.40-42
Something To Consider:
After Jesus was rejected by the whole region of Decapolis, and having healed a man possessed of many demons, He and His disciples crossed back over the Sea of Galilee. As they returned to Capernaum, they were welcomed by many people who apparently had been waiting for Him. How long had they waited for Jesus to return; we are not told! How long are we willing to wait for Jesus to return as He promised?
Things have not changed much after two thousand years. Jesus is still rejected by many, while on the other hand, He is received by others who find it a pleasure to be found waiting for His end of the age return. Will we be found enduring to the end, thereby waiting to be granted the most precious gift of salvation, which is nearer now than when we first believed?
The prophet Jeremiah wrote in Lamentations 3.25-26; “The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” So, here was a multitude that waited and sought that which was good from the Lord, and He did not disappoint them, or those who patiently wait for Him.
The apostle Paul stated in Romans 5.3-4; “Tribulation works [or produces] patience, and patience produces experience [or character] and character produces hope.” And who does not need hope when waiting for Jesus? Paul continued by declaring, “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given us.” But it all begins with tribulation!
What about the tribulation of the coronavirus that has and is still sweeping over the nations of the world? Are we allowing it to produce patience in our lives as we wait on the Lord’s return? Will we allow this affliction of pestilence that Jesus predicted to create fear in our hearts or to create character which according to the Word of God produces hope in our hearts and in the lives and hearts of those we are praying for?
My wife received a text on Friday from a young man who is a relative of an acquaintance of ours. He has tested positive for the coronavirus and was reaching out to his family and friends. He asked if everyone would refrain from calling to check in on him due to his struggling to breathe and not wishing to speak at this time. He assured all in contact to not worry about him but to be warned of the severity of this dreadful sickness. But there was hope in his message. In the midst of extreme tribulation, his heart is hopeful! This young man is waiting hopefully for the end to his illness.
Something Else To Consider:
King David was a man who on occasions impatiently ran ahead of the Lord with his own plans. This caused him much grief and anguish at times. But he also learned that it was a good thing to wait on the Lord. Writing in Psalm 40 David proclaimed; “I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. And set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.”
If you or someone you know and love is experiencing the evil effects of this 21st century affliction, know that there is all the hope one needs in Jesus Christ. Let us cry out unto the Lord having our sins forgiven that we might be rescued from the horrible pit and be established as new creatures in Christ while on earth so we can be guaranteed a place in the kingdom of heaven.
That is exactly what Jesus did for the Gadarene man who had been tormented by a legion of demons. Jesus indeed established his steps which was an act of divine power, mercy, and compassion. And yet, it was an act not to be duplicated for fear of financial loss. How sad! But back in Capernaum the scene was entirely different. In Capernaum multitudes waited for the return of Jesus.
Therefore, are we waiting for the return of Jesus? Are we patiently waiting and anticipating the soon return of Jesus? Last week we mentioned Jesus preparing a place for all true believers in Jesus. Jesus also proclaimed in John 14.3; “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”
Have we therefore welcomed Jesus in our lives and as the supreme ruler in and over all our affairs, pestilence and tribulation included? Has Jesus become our way, our truth, and our life? And if so, according to Paul writing in 2 Thessalonians 3.5; “Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.”
Something More To Consider:
One of those patiently waiting and anticipating the return of Jesus was a ruler of the synagogue named Jairus. The name Jairus means whom God enlightens. Jairus was an enlightened religious leader of God’s people. Being a spiritual enlightened leader is good, if the enlightenment has come from God’s Word. But this man’s only daughter of twelve years of age was dying. How long had Jairus waited for Jesus? What was he expecting Jesus to do? How long was he willing to wait?
When we are in need as we are at this moment on planet earth, how long are we willing to wait? Are we willing to quietly wait as did Jairus? The prophet Isaiah wisely proclaimed; “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Waiting on the Lord is not for the faint hearted! Waiting on the Lord according to the Word of God builds true Christ-like character.
James, the stepbrother of Jesus, admonishes us in James 1.4, by stating; “But let patience have its perfect work, that you [and me] may be perfect [or mature] and complete, lacking nothing.” Are we allowing patience to have its perfect work in us while waiting for an end to this virus and the return of Jesus? It is an important aspect of true biblical Christianity! Are we allowing patience to produce true contentment in our lives as we wait patiently for help from the Lord?
James also professed in James 1.12; “Blessed is the man [woman or young person] who endures temptation; for when he [or she] has been approved, he [or she] will receive the crown of life [crown of eternal life] which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” Do we truly love Jesus who is the Word of God come in the flesh?
Or do we just love the idea of possibly and hopefully obtaining eternal life rather than the alternative? Patiently waiting for Jesus is a sign or fruit of our true devotion to Christ. How are we doing in the midst of this international crisis? Are we willing to endure to the end of whatever is allotted to us and our fellow human beings? Will we be willing to endure whatever and thereby be saved, according to Jesus?
A Few Final Words:
James, nearing the end of his New Testament letter announced to all enduring to the end saints of every generation in verse 7-8 of chapter 5. “Therefore, be patient brethren [fellow believers in Christ], until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer [or city gardener] waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient [in our waiting for Jesus or in our waiting for good news concerning this rogue virus]. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand [or drawing near].”
Yes, spiritual leaders and future leaders in training, must learn to be willing to wait patiently upon the Lord. “So, it was when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him.” May Jesus always find us among the many welcoming Him at all times and in all avenues of our lives. And may we be found patiently waiting for the coming of Jesus in great power and great glory accompanied by the holy angels, while we patiently wait for a cure of this viral pandemic!
Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, teach us to wait patiently and quietly on the Lord, especially living in the midst of such physical and social disturbance. In Him Always, Amen!
According to Jesus 