In Luke 7, John’s disciples told him about Jesus. He sent his disciples to Jesus to ask him if he was the Messiah, the one they were waiting for (or were they still waiting for another one to come?). During that time, Jesus already cured many diseases, stopped plagues, and warded off evil spirits, and healed those who were blind. Yet, John still asked as though needing proof: “Are you really the Messiah?” Jesus did not answer John’s disciples. Instead, he told John’s disciples to tell John of what they had seen and heard.
This account suggests that John was measuring Jesus up. He was unsure if Jesus was the one he was prophesying about. John and his disciples were expecting Jesus to have the spirit who would purge humanity of evil. However, Jesus operated differently. Instead of spending his time “purging” the world of criminals, he spent his time serving the weak. He gave relief to those who had been suffering and the poor were receiving glad news. As what Rauschenbusch writes, “Jesus felt that John would recognize the dawn of the reign of God by the evidence which he offered him. What, then, would be proper evidence that the reign of God is gaining ground in our intellect and feeling?”
In today’s world, what evidence should propel us to give to others for being Christ’s believers? Is it when we say that God changed our lives that we must give to others? Going to church every Sunday and labeling ourselves as Christians are certainly not enough. What is our weekly church attendance and religious affiliation to the hungry and the oppressed? These do not mean anything to them unless we extend a helping hand, like Jesus did.
People will not care about what you have to say unless what you will have to say will help them meet their basic needs. In a usual scenario, would you find yourself unable to pay attention to what another person is saying when you’re feeling hungry? It would be hard to focus on something when the discomfort of hunger is bugging you, wouldn’t it?
If people are suffering and you are not really doing anything to alleviate their suffering, then you wouldn’t really get the people’s attention. In the marketplace, to truly make your message heard and reach the heart of people, you need to serve them first. Like Jesus, the evidence of your faith in the Lord is reflected in carrying out His platform, which, at the minimum, is helping the poor and lightening their burden.
Don’t miss out on our LIVE conference call as we discover learn about being the Prophet in the Marketplace. Here are ways to join:
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Will you pass Christ’s social test?