" ...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. And His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with diverse diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and He healed them. And there followed Him great multitudes of people from Galilee, from Decapolis, from Jerusalem, from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.” Mathew 4:23-25
I am not certain how many of you watched the cable television program, The Mysteries of Jesus, on the History Channel. It was fascinating. While watching the program, it was easy to understand why Jesus was such a superstar among the people. According to the custom, Rabbis, Elders, and the elite of the church were not supposed to interact with "common" folks, or be in physical contact with the sick, dying or dead. They also did not mingle with the poor, outcast, or destitute. They were to mingle only with God or among themselves. Their elitism was so grand that some rabbis had their own private road to the synagogue. In those instances, a bridge was built from their homes directly to the synagogue to avoid any contact with others. The rabbis would literally walk above the people. If by chance a rabbi touched a "common" person, he had to endure a series of ritual baths in special cleansing pools located in the synagogue or in his home.
Then came Jesus! He set aside the elitism and moved among the people, eating, sleeping, speaking, healing, walking, praying, and most important of all, teaching! His one ritual bath was His baptism! No wonder the Sanhedrin elite despised Him and sought to destroy Him while the people followed Him like a rock star! He was personal then and, He is still personal today.
So Today, if you are feeling a little listless and weary, feel free to Praise God on credit! In other words, —Praise Him, even when you don't feel like it. —Praise Him, even when you can't see your blessing! —Praise Him, even when you don't know where your blessing is going to come from. But, if praising Him is still difficult, then --Praise Him just because He is! —But, if somehow, praising Him because He is, is still not enough; then —Praise Him because youstill live and breathe. —Hallelujah! L.
Study Reference: Mathew 4:23-25
From: "Jesus Christ, Superstar!" In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: velinda peyton
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