Anna strikes again.....

Go and do thou likewise - Luke 10 v. 37.
Just pondering over various things that Jesus did and for which He would say to us “Go and do thou likewise”

I thought of the feeding of the multitude. In Matt 14.v15, we see the attitude of the disciples – They said “This is a remote place – it’s already getting late--- send the crowds away” BUT Jesus had compassion on them – He said to his disciples “ You give them something to eat”. They were hungry. They needed food. So the command of Jesus was to “Feed them”. To-day OXFAM – TEARFUND – and many other agencies are following Christ’s command to “Go and do likewise”

I thought of the sick - The lame, the blind, the deaf, the leper. Jesus touched them and made them well. He healed the sick. To-day many Christians are involved in Healing Ministry. They have seen Christ at work and they also “Go and do likewise”.

In John 4 we find Jesus talking to the woman at the well. She had had several husbands and now the man she was living with was not her husband. Yet Jesus had time for her. He offered her ‘living water’ so that she would never ‘thirst again’ - This woman was not someone Christians would normally be associated with, not someone they would have as a close friend. But Jesus had time for her. To-day we have the Night Light ministry and other ministries where the needs of the social outcasts are ministered to, the alcoholic, the drug addict, those who sleep rough. Jesus loves them, Jesus died for them. He died for the “whosoever will” and that means all – all types, creeds, race or gender. Those ministries too follow the example of Christ to “Go and do likewise - in Jesus name”.

In Luke 11 we find Jesus teaching his disciples to pray. He showed to them the importance of Prayer. To-day we have Prayer Ministries like 24. 7. There are Prayer teams. They too are following Christ’s example to “Go and do likewise”

Mark 10 13-16 we read “People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant”. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And He took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them”.
Jesus showed his disciples the importance of ministry to children. To-day there are a number of ministries for children and young people. Our own YFC involved with schools churches and drop-in centres, realize the value that Jesus placed on children. YFC - SU - Child Evangelism Fellowship and many others “Go and do likewise”

Mark 1 v 35 tells us that “Very early in the morning while it was still dark Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place. Jesus also knew the value of drawing aside to a quiet place to recharge batteries, to be refreshed.
To-day we have Retreat Ministries such as “Christian Renewal Centre, Rostrevor” who encourage Christians to go and find Jesus in the quiet place.

JESUS WAS THE PERFECT MODEL FOR EVERY MINISTRY

He chose just 12 disciples who were able to watch and learn from Him as He ministered to ‘every need’ and showed compassion to ‘all.’ Jesus did not only talk the talk. He walked the walk. He proved His love by His actions. We need to aim to be like Christ. To-day He is still saying “Go and do likewise” - BUT - He says more than that - Jesus says that “Greater things than these shall you do”

HOW?

Because in Acts 1 v 8 - Jesus promised “You shall receive POWER”

Using the analogy of the car - We do not need to “Go and do likewise with just the POWER of the “wee Smart car” – Yes it would get you there It will take you from A to B. But God provides the POWER and THRUST of the Ferrari at out feet and fingertips so that all who come into contact with us should feel the Vibration of His Power within us. That is the Power we need to “Go and do likewise”, to do as the disciples of old – to “Turn the world upside down”

We cannot do it in our own strength!

Thought for To-day: How am I travelling? - How are you travelling? What mode of Transport are we using to “Go and do likewise”