Wherever He entered, into the villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.
Mark 6:56 NKJV
How often do we pursue Jesus for temporal benefit, rather than eternal gain? When Christ walked this earth, the people would come from all over in the hopes of being healed. All throughout His early ministry, we see the words “a great multitude”, they flocked to Him and gathered around Him wherever He went. As many as touched Him were made well, everywhere He went the multitudes were healed.
Yet, we see a time when His teaching became too difficult for many to bear, so they turned away from Him. They wanted the benefits, not the commitment, and so it is today. “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (John 6:66). People will line up at the altar for physical healings and prophetic words. They will travel from all over to hear someone prophesy, they will pay whatever necessary to attend a healing conference or “sow seeds” of money in the hopes of reaping a harvest. They will fill the seats of churches that preach a false gospel that caters to selfish desires and worldly gain.
I was that man who pursued God for gain rather than relationship. I wanted the spiritual gifts, I wanted to be important. I found something of far more worth when I started pursuing Him because He’s my God, and I love Him. He’s done enough, let us sit in His presence. Speak Lord, and Your servants will listen, not demand. Ask, and it will be done without complaint or grumbling. Promise, and it will be believed with faith.
When did these things become too difficult? When did it become about us, and not Him? “So Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?’” (Luke 17:17-18). Ten lepers cleansed, and only one returned to praise God and give Him glory. There’s nothing new under the sun.
#CalledtoBattle