Priorities: New Friends Or Annoying Fans?
Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.
Matthew 19:14 (NKJV)
But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' they were indignant and said to Him, 'Do You hear what these are saying?'
And Jesus said to them, 'Yes. Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?'
Matthew 21:15-16 (NKJV)
Jesus, the Star, never ignored His fans. As He traveled from city to city, 'His fame spread throughout all the region' (Mark 1:28).
No matter the place, no matter the time, He always stopped to hear, heal, help, or hug.
His disciples tried to pre-screen His fans--to prevent those they judged unimportant or unworthy of their Master’s notice.
Consider 4 meetings in the Gospels:
'Little children were brought to Him that He might put His Hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them' (Matthew 19:13).
The bold and humble Canaanite mother pleading for her demon-possessed daughter.*
Jairus, the ruler of a synagogue, begging for his daughter (who had just died).**
Mary's act of devotion in breaking the alabaster jar of costly oil.***
In John, Jesus sums up His action plan, concerning the meeting of every fan:
'All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out' (John 6:37).
Therefore, if the King of kings casts no fan away. If He doesn’t see them as annoying, inconvenient, or inappropriate, how can we do so?
Actors, models, and talent for Christ: Your fans are your job and reason to shine. They’re the people you lead… straight to Jesus. So cherish each one.
The right priority might be summed up… by simply having the right attitude!
Priorities: New Friends Or Annoying Fans (Part 5)
* The Canaanite woman with the demon-possessed daughter:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2015:21-28&version=NKJV
** Jairus whose daughter had died:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+5%3A21-43&version=NIV
*** The Anointing of Jesus' Feet by Mary:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2026:6-13&version=NKJV
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.