A Universal Agenda Uncovered – February 1, 2022

[Jesus] said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”
Luke 4:43

A Universal Agenda Uncovered

We live in an increasingly global culture. Many cities and nations are far more diverse than ever before. We can see and hear and experience people and places from around the world on our TVs, computers, or the smartphone in our pocket.

As we experience other cultures, we may adopt certain things for our own. At the same time, there seems to be a greater interest in recognizing, celebrating, and promoting the diversity that exists in our world. We are encouraged to hold on to what makes our own culture unique and different from others.

The people in Capernaum recognized that they had something special. Jesus was preaching, teaching, and doing miracles in their city. They were enthralled and excited and didn’t want Jesus to leave. They wanted to keep him for themselves.

Many in our world today tell us that if we believe in Jesus, we should keep him to ourselves. Faith and religion are matters of personal preference and opinion, they say. And there’s no such thing as a God who is for all people.

But Jesus uncovered his agenda there in Capernaum. He had a message of love and life, hope and peace and forgiveness to proclaim, and it wasn’t just for the people in that city. He said he must proclaim it in other towns. He would later tell his followers to go into all the world and preach the good news.

Jesus came to be the Savior, not just for a few, but for all. Not just for the people of Capernaum but for the citizens of every city on earth. That’s good news because it means that you don’t have to wonder whether Jesus came for you. Jesus came for all. That means he came to be your Lord and Savior, your deliverer, your God. He came to forgive your mistakes and failures. He came to give you eternal life with him.

And now he gives us an agenda—to share the good news of the Savior with others.

Prayer:
Praise and thanks to you, Jesus, because you uncovered your agenda of being the Savior of all people—and my Savior. Help me share that good news with others. Amen.