Jesus said to them, "Surely you will quote this proverb to me: 'Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.'" (Luke 4:17)
We are practical people. We read about the call to
minister to those around us, and we make a quick assumption, “We should start
at home.” We look around us for what there is to do, and then pray about which
of the opportunities we should take on.
Many in Israel probably thought that Jesus
should have taken a similar approach. They expected Him to bless the community
that had raised Him before He began crossing the countryside. In towns like Nazareth, the community
was very important to the identity of each of the children raised there.
Because few traveled very far, their identity was shaped by the community.
Even though we are not nearly as connected to our
surroundings as people were in Jesus’ day, we still derive some of our identity
from where we live, work and play. As we consider Jesus’ call for us to reach
out in word and deed, we immediately think about those things closest to us.
Jesus took a different approach. He did not let his community define His
ministry. His outreach was defined by God’s direction.
So when you ask yourself where to start, don’t assume
anything. Ask God for direction and follow it whether it focuses two doors
down, 100 miles or 10,000 miles away.
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Pray
for Christians who are seeking to evangelize their people.
Pray for openings to share the vision with other churches
and Christian groups.
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