Whoever says, “I abide in Christ,”
ought to walk just as he walked.
1 John 2:6
How did Christ “walk,” that is, live his life?
Certainly he was obedient to his Father’s will and offered himself for others
to the point of death on a cross. But I am also impressed that Jesus lived a
life of attentiveness. He focused on his mission in whatever form it took at
the time.
Tired from travel and in the noonday heat, he went out of his way to
speak with a woman who had come to a well to draw water. Her life was changed
when she recognized him as the Messiah. (John 4) While he was traveling through
Jericho surrounded by a large crowd, a blind beggar on the side of the road
cried out, and scripture records, “Jesus stood still.” He then called the man to
come to him, healed him, and the man followed Jesus. (Mark 10) When a woman
crept up to him in a crowd to touch the hem of his garment, sure that she would
be healed, he was attentive enough to notice that healing power had gone out from him.
He called to woman to him and blessed her. (Mark 5) A centurion who came to ask
healing for his servant (Matthew 8) and countless others each received individual,
undivided attention.
Many people came to Jesus seeking many things, but he did
not “multi-task.” He attended fully to one person or situation at a time. As we
seek to abide in Christ, what would it mean for us to live lives of prayerful
attentiveness to each person, task or opportunity God places in front of us?
God's peace,
Katie
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