It is all about relationship.

“At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.” Luke 4:40

 

When I read this verse, my attention was drawn to how Jesus cared for each of these sick people. Specifically when it says he laid his hands on each one. He easily could have healed everyone all at once. He had the ability to do that. But it is all about relationship. Jesus wanted to put hands on every single person and ask “How can I help you?”. Is that not beautiful? Is it not beautiful that we serve a God who desires to be in a deep relationship with us? He wants to know us. Truly know us. When I think of that, I can not help but start to tear up knowing that I am seen by our Father and that he desires us just as much, if not more, than we desire him. He laid hands on each one. Wow, just get that image in your head. I can not imagine how many people were at that sunset, but seeing Jesus making his way through the crowd, laying hands and rebuking whatever sickness laid in them… So beautiful. 

 

That verse reminded me of our ministry this past week in Guatemala. During orientation we were reminded that we are not here to bring Jesus into these communities. He is already moving in this beautiful country. We are here to build relationships. On Monday, we did house visits for some members of a community church. I was first confused as to why we were heading towards these houses unannounced, with the possibility of being rejected. I was even more confused when our ministry host, Pablo, told us these families have been absent from the church for a while now. I felt like we were coming and confronting these people for not going to church. I felt almost ashamed. Who was I to go into these houses and ask where they have been? But I was so wrong. Pablo mentioned that when families distance themselves from the church, it is mainly because they feel unappreciated. Going to visits these families and simply listening to them, helps them understand that they are seen. Going to visit people of the church when they have been away for a while shows them that the church has taken notice to them being gone. They miss them and want them to be in relationship with them. 

 

Now I understand. It’s not about confrontation or about questioning their faith. It is simply building relationships and offering our support just as Jesus did. “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?” Matthew 18:12. We are called to go search for the ones who have wandered and bring them back to their home, back to Jesus. And to listen so that they do not feel the need to stray again. 

 

It is all about relationships and following Jesus’ example on building and maintaining relationships.