Jesus in the Midst

And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. 3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.  Mark 2:1-3. NKJV.

The subject/theme/topic of this Brief Word is one I’ve been passionate about for years.  In fact, I looked up the very first sermon I preached at our first church, Timaru Elim Church, way back on 6th January 1985.  It was this – Jesus In The Midst.

Looking over those hand written notes (yes, those were the days before computers, but for me, it was those wonderful days when my handwriting was tidy and readable!), I couldn’t help but think how applicable and relevant it is for today.  Truly, the word of the Lord lives on and lasts forever.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8. NKJV.

Here’s is a great key to life personally and for the local church, and it is simply this; Jesus in the midst.

Just imagine what church life would be like, what our personal day-to-day life would be like, if Jesus was really there.  Now I know He is, as He promised.  And I know many many churches too are blessed with the wonder and power of the presence of Jesus.  But too often, as is my experience, we get so involved in the things of life, and we get caught up in the activity and program of church life, that we miss something.

… it was heard that He was in the house …

Something spread.  It was noised abroad.  The news spread that Jesus was in the house.  Oh let that be the case in our lives too!  Let it be spread around that Jesus is in our house, that His presence is there, in our lives and in our churches.

Jesus in our midst makes a difference.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13. NKJV.

When we’ve been with Jesus, it shows!

We can have a lot of good things in life.  Our churches can have great programs.  But is that what we are known for?  Would the news that comes for our lives and from our churches be better if it were the news of the presence of Jesus there, and the things He does because He is there?

We need good programs, great children’s and youth activities, amazing pastoral care, wonderful music, AND that modern necessity in churches these days – coffee.  But what we need even more than all of those good things, is Jesus in the midst.  We need His presence!

… many gathered together …

When the presence of God is in us every moment of every day, there’s something attractive about that.  When the report is spread that Jesus is in the house, people will come.

I know this is the cry of many pastors, that many will gather.  I know this because it was (and still is) my cry.  We want many more people to experience the freedom from sin we enjoy, and the hope of Heaven we live with.  We want people to know God, and enjoy Him forever, as we do.  So we do all we can to attract people into the house of God and to God Himself.

We may have an enviable program, an awesome band and music, and people may come because of those things.  But for how long?  How long can we maintain the program?

Of course we need to do all we can to provide those things.  They are part of life and church.  But what is more important to us?  Having those things, or, having Jesus in our midst?  Let’s go for both, but, focus more so on Jesus in our midst!

… many gathered … receive them … to them …

Who are the many, the crowd, who are the them?  They are people just like we once were, for whom Christ gave His life.  Lost, lonely, broken, hope-less, and full of needs.

Let’s do all we can, lets implement the absolute best programs and facilities, but, lets go for something even better than that, Jesus in the midst.  When He is, He touches, restores, heals, refreshes, empowers and blesses.  Its people.  It’s the crowd.  Not a number in the crowd, but each a valuable person whom Christ loves.

It’s only in coming to Jesus can our needs be fully met.  Let it be noised abroad, that Jesus is here to heal, forgive, break chains, set free and fill hungry hearts.

… He preached the word to them …

Wherever there is an individual, family, or body of people radiating and enjoying the presence of Jesus, there’ll be the Word of God.  After all He is The Word!  (See John 1:1).

The crowds that milled about the door of the house, whether it was Mary’s new home or the house of Simon’s mother-in-law, or the house of some other unknown friend of Jesus, were hungry to hear the word of God; and so the poor had the Gospel preached to them, (Matthew 11:5) the last great Messianic sign. — (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Mark.  By R Alan Cole.  Pg 119).

It’s been my observation that individuals, families, groups and churches who lose a love for and priority for the centrality and place of The Word of God, will sometime lose the presence of God.  But, get more of His Word, give place to and honour the preaching and reading and power of God’s Word, and Jesus is right there.

… they came to Him …

Wow!  May people who get closer to me, get closer to Jesus.  When people come to our small group, may they get closer to Jesus.  When people come to our church, may they get closer to Jesus.

Here’s a great key – lift Jesus high and He will do the drawing.

And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. John 12:32. NKJV.

Jesus in the midst.  Isn’t that where you’d love to be?

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