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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “redeemed, restored, recruited”. To be redeemed means to be delivered or freed from captivity or harm. To be restored means to be returned to a former condition, to be recruited means to be enrolled or added as a newcomer to a field or activity. Matthew summed up Jesus’ earthly ministry in these few words, “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness (Matthew 9:35) The result of Jesus’ teachings, the proclamation of the Good News and Healing is the redemption, restoration and recruitment of many followers or believers who went around telling people about Jesus and what He has done for them. In other words, after we have been delivered and restored, we become witnesses of God’s love through Christ who came into the world and still continues to work through us for the salvation of the world. In Matthew 9:18-34, Jesus healed and redeemed a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years (Matthew 9:20), He restored the life of the Synagogue leader’s daughter (Matthew 9:25), He restored the sight of two blind men (Matthew 9:29-30) and He redeemed or delivered a man who could not talk because he was demon-possessed. (Matthew 9:33).

Dear friend, the two blind men who were part of the people Jesus redeemed and restored could not hold back their joy and testimony although,” Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.” (Matthew 9:30-31). In effect, they were redeemed, restored and felt recruited to spread the news about Jesus all over that region. Today, we also have become beneficiaries of Jesus’ salvation because we have been redeemed from satan, sin and condemnation and have been restored from hopelessness to salvation and the immeasurable grace and blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is for this reason, we have been recruited to become disciples of Christ who have been empowered to witness. Like the two blind men whose sights were restored, we must also go out there to every corner of the world to proclaim Jesus and His mighty works. Jesus is at work in the world through the Holy Spirit and we are His witnesses but how many Christians of the twenty-first century feel empowered to witness? How many of us have consistently = used our time to preach the Good News or support the proclamation of the Good News with our resources? Are we aware that once we have been redeemed and restored by Jesus, we have been recruited to carry out the mandate of the Great Commission? To all those who have been redeemed and restored by Jesus, He has also recruited us with the words of the Great Commission that “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20). Unfortunately, we those who have been redeemed, restored and recruited to preach the Good News are hiding within the four walls of our chapels. Most of us have refused to move out of our comfort zones, meanwhile, Jesus has assured us that there is a large number of souls out there in the field (world) to be harvested. Our only assignment as recruited labourers or servants is to go into the field and harvest the souls who are yearning to be saved but the Church and for that matter, many Christians have relegated evangelism to the background. God continues to give us myriads of opportunities and chances to preach the Good News to the world through our interaction with people on social media, the marketplace, in public transport, in our neighbourhoods and the many other events we attend. Our passion or zeal for harvesting souls for the Kingdom of God ought to be rekindled if we want our Churches to grow and the Kingdom of God to expand. How many souls have you won for Christ since you became a Christian? How many evangelism activities have you embarked on since the commencement of the year 2023? In the last few days or more, how many people have you had a conversation with about Jesus on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms? In response to our lack of enthusiasm for lost souls as Christians, Jesus says that “…The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37). My dear friend in the Lord, are you also part of the few? Let us continue to avail ourselves as recruits or workers of our Lord Jesus Christ who have been redeemed and restored even as we “Ask the Lord of the harvest,…to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:38) Shalom.

PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for redeeming, restoring and recruiting us into Your Salvation Army to harvest souls. We pray for a renewed passion and empowerment to courageously preach the Good News and fervently work towards the salvation of those who are still beyond the walls of salvation. Amen.