Matthew 423 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. 25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
If we look back at verses 12-13 we find the chronicle of the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry. He was about 30 years old. He was born in Bethlehem, lived in Egypt a few years, went back into Israel at Joseph’s hometown of Nazareth and was raised there by his earthly parents. Joseph and Mary had other natural children. In the people’s eyes he was the son of Joseph, but in God’s eyes he was the Son of God. Some people chose not to believe who he was. A lot of tales were told. We don’t need to go by the gossip of the world. Jesus knew who he was. Joseph and Mary did their best to raise God’s son in their household. Jesus was a family man and obedient to his earthly mother and father as he was to his heavenly Father. Obedience should be important to us as well. The devil worked taking people down with every imaginable disease but one greater was near. Jesus is still here today.
When John the Baptist was put in prison it was the signal for Jesus to step out publically. He had been baptized by John and spent time in the wilderness of temptation. Where we fall, due to our nature, Jesus did not. He overcame as the son of man. He will use his divine power on Satan to put an end to him very soon. Jesus had power to overcome the curses of the human race. We have someone to go to when we are taken by the curse and the wiles of the devil. Jesus won the victory for us. No matter what we’re taken with we have someone to take it to.
Once he started his ministry he didn’t stop. He went into the northern most parts of Israel. People were in need everywhere. We need Jesus now more than ever! He doesn’t really need us; he wants us. Just when you say you don’t need him, that’s when you need him the most. He’s not a spare tire in the automobile of life. He’s the tires, the reason we make it to our destination. Our country, communities, homes and families need Jesus. I need him. You need him. If the people in northern Israel needed him we do too. Our prayer should be Lord, help us to want you. I’m glad he’s there for us.
Reread the verses. The word “all” is used a lot. All means all. Not just a few. ALL—the meanest, the most stubborn. If he can turn them around, he can do the same for us. It’s not over. Jesus is still approachable no matter what we’re taken with. The gospel didn’t start when the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. It started in the Middle East. God sent his son and he came to seek and save the lost. He didn’t let the devil hinder him. He went into all the towns and lands around. There wasn’t a place he didn’t come to and when he did the people came. Regardless of their affliction, they came to the Lord. One Savior took care of it all. One Jesus, not a delegation. All we need is Jesus. We just need to recognize our need and not be taken down with the world. Jesus said come unto me and I will give you rest. Every kind came. You don’t see any saying they were too sick to come. Even the lunatics came. The world would say there is something wrong with us because we follow Jesus. They called Paul mad but he assured them he was sane. I’d rather be crazy for Jesus than sane for the devil. We can come to Jesus. We can take ourselves to him. If we can’t, what’s the use of going on? I know my loved ones are in heaven because of Jesus. There’s reason to go on. Don’t be overtaken.
Verse 24 says the people were taken with all sorts of things but they could come to Jesus. If the practically paralyzed can get to Jesus, we can too. Instead of being overtaken by the madness of the times, you have a choice. Take it to Jesus. The Holy Spirit can take us there if we let him. Then we see four words at the end of verse 24. AND HE HEALED THEM. Don’t be put off a moment longer. Don’t be defeated. Take it to the Lord.
Be one that doesn’t let what you’re taken with take you. Take it to Jesus. Be a take-it-to-Jesus Christian. Jesus is in Adwolfe. Praise God! Take it to him. Be a taker to, not a taken with.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 