In November, the brother of my wife, Gail, was visiting from Hawaii. It was his first visit to Japan. I was curious what his biggest impression of Japan was. He said over and over that he was shocked at the millions of people that he saw on the trains and subways in Tokyo and Osaka. He would be shocked at New Years to see more the crowds of millions head to the temples and shrines.
Even in our small city of Utsunomiya, population 500,000, there is a temptation to see the crowds of people and forget that those crowds of people represent individuals for whom Christ died. Each and every one of them needs to hear the gospel.
In Matthew chapter 14 the disciples told Jesus to send the “crowds” away after being with Him because it was getting late. But In Matthew 14:16 Jesus tells them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” In the end Jesus feeds, not the “crowd”; He feeds five thousand men besides women and children. Although there were thousands of them, they were not just a “crowd”; they were individuals with needs and He met their need.
Pray for us as we talk with individuals about following Jesus. It is our desire that their salvation bring glory to God.
By Bob Gierhart
Recent Comments