Lesson for the Lord’s Day
And it came to pass, as He went to Jerusalem, that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Luke 17:11
I stood among an excited crowd outside the Old County Courthouse in Saint John one day, holding my microphone and watching as Prince Andrew arrived and began chatting with those who had gathered. As a reporter, I was under strict rules not to approach within ten feet of the prince, or to attempt to speak to him, although, once I had established a position, I could remain there and allow him to approach me or even allow him to open a conversation with me. The prince indeed drew near to my position, chatting in a charming and friendly way with those he encountered, sharking hands and smiling warmly. I was standing next to a secretary from the courthouse whom I knew, a pretty young woman who was eagerly reaching out her hand to the prince. The handsome and charming prince, noting my microphone and nodding me a smile, began speaking to the secretary as he shook her hand, deliberately and graciously allowing me to record their conversation, which I was able to use in my news report. That’s the closest a member of royalty has ever come to me! How close has an important or high person of this world come to you? Not as close as the Lord Jesus has come!
The Lord Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, and eventually to Calvary. He was about to fulfil the great purpose for which He came into this world. Along the way, He took time to stop and visit the despised and outcast folks in Samaria, and to spend time among the plain, hard-working folks in Galilee. His trip to Jerusalem was for their benefit, and those folks were very precious to Him. The time He would spend with them was important to Him. Every bit as important as the time He would spend with the sophisticated and religious folks in the Jerusalem region. The time He spends with us today as we gather to remember Him is also special to Him.
Jesus didn’t make just a token visit to Samaria and Galilee; He passed through their very midst. He doesn’t simply glance in at us today as we break the bread and drink the cup; no, He sets Himself down on our midst, and appreciates our company as we express our appreciation of Him.
Where two or three are gathered together unto His name, the Lord from Heaven – the Prince of Peace – is in the midst. And He always will be. -Jim MacIntosh