In Matthew 9:18-22, we see where a certain ruler named, Jarius, asked Jesus to come see about his dead daughter. As Jesus was on his way to Jarius’ house, there was a woman in the press. This woman had an issue in her body and needed healing. Jesus could have ignored that touch, as there were many people around Him. For sure, nothing was significant about that touch. Jesus could have been fixated on the urgency of Jarius’ situation, that He had no time for anything or anyone else. However, that is not the kind of God we serve. Jesus turned back to see about this woman’s issue. He made time for her, and showed that He cared about her just as much as He cared about Jarius’ daughter. The same love that He was about to show Jarius’ daughter, is the same love that would reach out to her in that moment. Jesus is not only concerned about the high men in high places, but He equally is concerned about the ones society sees as the lowest of the lows. This woman’s shame had her hanging down. This woman’s issue had her feeling less than. Nobody could have understood the measure of her press. If Jesus, the all powerful one, had time for this woman, how are we so caught up in ourselves that we turn a blind eye to those whom society sees no value in? They are God’s children too and need His compassion and love.
It was couple of months ago, that a group of friends and I went out to eat after a very moving church service at World Harvest Church. We parked the car by this building right across from the food court. It was there that we met this man named, Joseph. He was very kind to us and watched the vehicle as we went to eat. After we were finished, we talked with him some more, blessed and prayed for him. His name would always be remembered in our daily prayers. Fast forward to couple days ago, another group of friends and I were out and about doing some time-killing stuff before heading back home. As we were leaving our final destination, we saw this man standing by the curb side. We could not go much further because the Holy Spirit prompted us to turn back and pray for him. I did not remember how Joseph looked and his name did not click to me right away. We spent a few moments ministering to him, as he ministered to us. As we were concluding our time together, Joseph said his name again, and then it clicked. This was the same man I met months ago. It was a Jesus moment. He is a God of divine appointments and moments.
We did not have to wait for Jesus to come down and tell us to turn back for Joseph. We understood the mission of Jesus for our lives in the earth. There is no greater calling than to serve God’s people. We are called to be the hands and feet of God extended throughout the ends of the earth. What if we headed home earlier? What if we ignored the prompting of the Holy Spirit and kept driving? We can never be too busy to do a work for God. We can never be caught up in our own agendas, that we forsake God’s assignment or our lives. It pays to be obedient. It pays to be consistent. It pays to be determined. There is always ONE MORE that we can do. We can never be satisfied with just one person, because God always has ONE MORE soul for us to reach. ONE MORE life to be changed through the power of God.
We had one mission, to get some doughnuts, but God had ONE MORE for us to reach, our brother Joseph. How many persons were left hopeless because we kept going and never turned back? How many souls went to hell because we were caught up in doing things our way, and did not want to stop for them because it would inconvenience our plans? How many persons went hungry because we did not have enough money for them and ourselves, even though we had more food at our homes? How many persons were trying to reach out to us, but we ignored them for other things? Let us never become satisfied with our last soul saved, last act of kindness, last preached message, or last gift. If we turned around, we would still see that there is ONE MORE.
Raphael R. Roker 