The first thing Andrew did was to find
his brother Simon and tell him, “We have
found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).
And he brought him to Jesus.
John
1:41-42
Overwhelmed by the beautiful lyrics of Chris Tomlin’s Jesus Messiah I wept still trying to
retain my composure from the front row of the choir. A few minutes later, as my
husband and I took our seats among the congregation, I opened my Bible and my
bulletin to the note-taking page. The large font of pastor’s sermon title
jumped off the golden paper. Capture the
Vision!
As my eyes scanned the sermon outline, my mind scanned the lyrics sung earlier.
Reminded that Jesus Messiah became sin for me so that I might enter into His
righteousness, the sermon became a 3-D message reaching out to grab my heart.
Christ died for me, for one and for all. He sees me, the face in the crowd. He
also sees the crowd—the many.
Our pastor continued to speak about our need to identify those around us
who need to know Jesus, and he encouraged us to intercede on their behalf and
to invest in their lives. He challenged each of us to be bold enough to invite
them to be part of the church. My mind rushed to neighbors who need Jesus, and
I made a mental list of those my husband and I could pray for and invest in
their lives.
After evening church service, I walked up the hill by our home to take a
photograph of the setting sun. As I stood in awe of the orange and blue sky hand
painted by my Heavenly Father, the first name on my list drove down the hill
and waved. Moments later, she drove up the hill and stopped. As we chatted, I
extended a dinner invitation and she accepted.
I awoke this morning singing, Jesus Messiah—rescue for sinners. I thought
about Andrew and how the first thing he did after “finding” Messiah was to find
his brother so he could get him to Jesus.
My heart pounded at the thought of all those I have left behind—untold! Why?
It is important that Christians capture the vision of sharing the gospel—the
good news! It is important that we share the news that Messiah, Immanuel, The
Redeemer has come for one and for all. It is important that we remind ourselves
that a message needs a messenger. If you know Christ, share the good news with
someone today—Messiah has come.
There is no doubt in my mind that the Holy Spirit invaded the room as
these beautiful lyrics were penned. Sing with me…
Jesus Messiah, name above all names
Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, the ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all
Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, the ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all
©JP 2013
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