An Introduction That Is Life Changing

This morning I felt like I should read from Mark's Gospel.  I like his concise story telling and and descriptions. In light of some of the reflection I have been doing concerning the value the Lord demonstrates He has for us, I thought this story of the deaf and mute man interesting.  Here are the verses - Mark 7:31-37 NIV:

[31] "Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. [32] There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.

[33] After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. [34] He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). [35] At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

[36] Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. [37] People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

The reason I liked this story upon my first reading is that Jesus took the man aside, away from the crowd.  Although the healings were spectacular, Jesus wasn't looking to cause a spectacle.  He cared more for the individual, spending time directly with Him, than He did for the elation of the crowd.  Jesus wanted some time alone with the man!  The Son of God wanted some time alone with Him!  The same is true for us all; He desires alone time with us!

Obviously the man was cared for by others for they brought him to Jesus.  If we care for the hurt and lonely, the wandering or the wondering, the sick or wounded, the best thing we can do is bring them to Jesus.  He is the one who loves them, who cares for them, who can heal them, and who values them greatly!  Introducing someone to Jesus is as simple as talking about what He has done, or what we know He is like.  Jesus cares so much for each of us and all of us that we can introduce Him and trust Him fully to take it from there!  He knows the thoughts and heart condition of each of us, and He is infinitely gentle and loving.  As the people exclaimed, "He has done everything well!"

So, let us be encouraged today to introduce those who don't know the Lord to Him.  Let us not be afraid to talk about Him, His character, our relationships with Him, for in this way our friends and acquaintances will come to meet the one who loves them perfectly and the one who is just waiting for the introduction! This is one introduction that will change every life!