Real Hope: Back to Basics - Heaven & EarthUzorak

Blessed To Be A Blessing

When we follow Jesus, we have a job to do. There’s the small matter of all those millions of others who may not have a heavenly destiny unless they’re challenged about it. So, Jesus sent out His first followers to spread the good news to the Jews, not the non-Jews. Not because the latter didn’t matter, but the non-Jews were going to be reached via the Jews. This was the original idea of God choosing the Jews: not so they could keep the blessing to themselves but so that they could be the vehicle of blessing to the wider world.

Their message, and by extension ours, is that God’s way of doing things, God’s reality, has invaded our world. A new age has dawned. And this new age is not just a matter of words. Healings, resurrection, deliverance… these aren’t the acts of religious, social workers trying to make people better. They are visible expressions of the fact that heaven has invaded earth: the kingdom of God is near.

And this message is to be given freely. God blesses us to be a blessing to others, not in order that we might hug that blessing and treasure it in an attitude of self-indulgence. We don’t come to church or seek healing or pray or meditate simply in order to feel close to God or feel better about ourselves but also to help others on that same journey. Jesus comforted, taught, and encouraged His disciples… but then He told them to put to good use all that He had done or said. In effect, ‘I’ve poured myself into you, now you pass it on to others.' In other words, we are blessed to be a blessing.

Written by DAVID REAY