The Gospel Series Part IV
Matthew 2:1-2 NKJV — Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
The wise men had traveled a long way to see the newborn King. They had seen the sign in the sky and they knew that the time had come for the world to receive the Messiah. Years of study on the prophecies of Daniel, Ezekiel and Isaiah had convinced them that this was so.
Traveling a long way to see or even hear a message of hope is something only the person who is on that journey can explain. What would it take? How far are we willing to travel to hear the Good News?
Matthew 8:5-10 NKJV — Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. “For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!
The heart of the Centurion was filled with compassion, not only for his servant but also for the men under his command; he had taken a step of courage and faith to reach out to Jesus and was humbled by the Lord’s response. Jesus continued with a word about the distance many would travel for salvation but it came with a warning for those who took that gift for granted;
Matthew 8:11-13 NKJV — “And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. “But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.
The distance one may travel for hope and healing may be accumulated in years but the journey is still a journey of perseverance and faith;
Luke 8:43-48 NKJV — Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
Her faith had made her whole. It also allowed her to complete her journey to reach the Lord and receive the blessed hope that is available for all who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
The pursuit of happiness, peace and prosperity seems to be ingrained in our DNA and we will go to any lengths to reach it – but what if we are invited to a place where we have a chance to reach that life? In these days of uncertainty we are witnessing the “exodus” of many searching for a “promised land.”
The United States has always been known as the home of the free and the brave but it has also been known as the land of opportunity. The Statue of Liberty stands as a welcoming greeter to all who seek the American Dream.
There is also a Sonnet written by Emma Lazarus. called “The New Colossus.”
There are two inscriptions on the Statue of Liberty. One is on the tablet Lady Liberty holds in her left arm, and the other is on a bronze plaque displayed at the Statue of Liberty exhibit.
The Statue of Liberty holds a torch in her uplifted right hand and a tablet cradled in her left arm. The date of the Declaration of Independence is inscribed on the tablet in Roman numerals – JULY IV MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776).
The sonnet was engraved on a bronze plaque and presented by philanthropist Georgiana Schuyler to be mounted on the interior wall of the pedestal in 1903. It reads:
“Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, with conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand a mighty woman with a torch, whose flame is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command the air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame, “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she with silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Many have come to America and many have made it a home. The nation has been built on immigration and though, at times, the road to citizenship has been long and tedious, for most the journey has been very gratifying. There are those so desperate for a better life that they will choose any means to come to the United States, even if it means being illegal.
The Rio Grande is not only the border between Texas and Mexico but it is also part of the international border of Mexico and the United States. The river is only a part of a border extending from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, the 1,954 mile border is being overrun by thousands of migrants looking for a better life. The United States is facing the biggest surge of migrants at its southern border in 20 years. The number of attempted border crossings by people from Central America and Mexico has steadily increased since April 2020.
Poverty, violence and corruption in Mexico and the Northern Triangle – Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador – have led people to seek a better life in the United States for years, and there have been surges in the past.
Wearing t-shirts with President Joe Biden’s name printed on them, migrants are overwhelming the southern border because they believe they were invited to the U.S. by the current government officials. What falls under the definition of a crisis, many are wondering if the federal government will find a solution to the current migration or will they “kick the can down the road” so that it will be a future legislation problem? It’s a tactic that’s been used for decades and has contributed to the situation at hand.
Regardless of the reasons on why and how the immigrants are entering the United States, most of the migrants are looking for something better and for the church and the followers of Jesus Christ, one avenue is open for witnessing and sharing the Gospel to those entering the country.
Despite the talk of border walls, barriers erected around our nation’s capital and social distance restrictions, a “gate” has been left open for the message of salvation and hope. There are many who say that they can’t wait to go out on the mission field and preach the Gospel but now the mission field is coming over the border. Jesus said to His disciples and to those who follow Him today;
Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV — “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
The Great Commission has come to our doorstep. The “lemons” that have been handed to the American people can easily be turned into “lemonade” with the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ is great. We just have to walk through that open gate to reach those who have traveled far for a life of peace and happiness.
The Statue of Liberty may be saying, “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” – But Jesus is offering more for those on a long journey.
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV — “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
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