Those who are Christians should know that our primary purpose for being on this earth after we are saved is to get people to Jesus. As we look at our world today, there are a multitude of ways to interact with people. We need to take advantage of every avenue available. People all over the world have never heard of Jesus, and some who have heard of Him do not know enough about who He is to surrender to Him as their Lord. What are you willing to do to get people to Jesus and fulfill the great commission in Matthew 28:19? Just before Jesus’ ascension. He told them to go and tell others of Him. To baptize them and then to disciple them. Matthew 28:19-20.
Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
In Mark 2:1-5, we find four friends desperate to get their friend to Jesus. Jesus was preaching in a home in Capernaum, and as word spread, He was there, the people filled the house so full no one could get in any of the doorways. These four men had a friend who was paralyzed, and they desired to see him healed. They had heard about Jesus and were determined to get to Him. Their faith caused them to believe that no one could heal their friend but Jesus.
As they approached the house and could find no way to bring him in, they moved to the roof. In biblical times, the roofs were flat, with access to them. The issue was not getting to the roof. It was getting inside the house. For these four friends, nothing would stop them. They tore the roof off and lowered him on a cot down where Jesus was. Jesus healed the man because their faith in Him was so great. We would consider this extreme means to get to Jesus, but it wasn’t to them.
Mark 2:1-5 “And again he entered Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”
The scorn of the bystanders did not deter them. The knowledge that repairing a roof may cost money or pose danger to them and those below did not change their minds. They had one purpose, and they would not abandon it for anyone. They were going to get their friend to Jesus.
Another example for us to follow is Andrew. When Andrew met Jesus, he was a disciple of John, who taught about Jesus. In John 1:35-37 John proclaims that Jesus was the Lamb of God. Andrew and another disciple of John follow Jesus. In verses 41-42, we see Andrew leaving everything and going to find his brother Simon Peter to tell him that he has found the Messiah. He brings him to Jesus. A short time later, both men left their fishermen occupations and followed Jesus as disciples. They left everything to tell others about Him.
John 1:35-37 “Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.”
John 1:41 He first finds his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
John 1:42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.”
Throughout scripture, we see people finding Jesus, and the first thing they want to do is find a way to bring people to Him. Some go to great lengths to bring people to Him. They understand that God loves everyone and wants to see them saved. They understand the truth of eternity. We will all spend eternity either in Heaven or Hell. They understand that telling others and winning them is a command by Jesus, and not following it is a sin. Their love for Him and their gratitude for what He has done for them on the cross and in this life propels them to obey.
What have you done to bring others to Jesus? Each of us is given multiple opportunities to share the gospel. We have the internet, phone, neighbors, people we work with, and people we come in contact with wherever we go. It is not an accident that you have access to these people. It is the providence of God bringing them in contact with someone who holds the truth that can redeem them from Hell. It is that simple and that important. No excuses will be good enough when we stand before Jesus. Who are you passing up because you are too busy, too shy, or just don’t care about their eternal soul? If you truly love Jesus you will step out on faith and obey. So I ask, what will you do to bring people to Jesus?
John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
