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\ / WHAT JESUS DID! -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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Thursday, February 5, 2009
To All Peoples
Many, many people followed Jesus. These people were from
Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, Judea, and the area across
the Jordan River.
-- Matthew 4:25 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
In many of our minds, this list of towns is just a collection of Jewish
hamlets. This was not so. Greeks, Romans, Samaritans, and Jews all made
up the people who interacted with Jesus in his earthly ministry. Jesus
carried out his ministry in a hotbed of hate and suspicion among
different races and social classes. As human beings, we can easily slip
into racial, ethnic, and social prejudices. Our own insecurities make
it easier for us to have suspicions and fears about other people rather
than breaking down the barriers that separate us. Matthew wants us to
know that even though Jesus' earthly ministry was primarily
concentrated on the Israelite nation, his goal was to reach all peoples
through the ongoing ministry of his disciples. In the book of
Revelation, the last message of our Bible, God reminds us of his dream
for heaven: a place where there are no barriers between people who
honor his Son as Lord. Jesus shows us in glimpses throughout his
ministry that he loves all people. His legacy of love to all peoples
today, however, must be shown in the lives of his disciples. That's us!
So what are we waiting for? We all need to follow Jesus' example and
serve people today no matter their gender, race, ethnicity, or social
standing.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Dear Father, God who loves all people, give me a heart that refuses to
tolerate injustice and prejudice among your people and give me a
willing spirit to reach through any barriers that divide your children.
Please use me to include those left out and to bring them into my
circle of fellowship. In the name of Jesus, who died for all, I pray.
Amen.
>> NEW: Phil's What Jesus Did devotional is now
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>> The WJD! web page has related scriptures and the
>> full text of today's key passage. Read it at:
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/matthew/0205-wjd.html
>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+4:25&sr=1&t=erv
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THE GIFT FOR ALL PEOPLE, by Max Lucado
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