Only The Word

Mark 2:2 "And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them." ESV

 

This kind of reminds me of last Sunday. Easter Sunday is always a big deal at church. We always have more people than usual. This year was no different. We had the largest crowd that we have ever had at church. In fact, when the stats came out this week, it said that we had 106% of capacity in the auditorium. That means that we had to set up more chairs than we normally have. Now, it was not as jammed as when Jesus was in this house, but it was pretty full. Many were gathered together. It was close to no more room, but people were not hanging out the door. The point? What was being preached.

 

When Jesus taught and preached what did He preach? Wonderful ideas of the day? Did He get political and talk about how the Jews should rise up and defeat Rome? Did He tickle people's ears with self-help pointers? Did He tell them how wonderful they all were? None of the above. Jesus taught the word. He preached the word of God to all of these people. Oh, He had a huge crowd. He could have entertained them in some way, but that is not what He came to do. He came teach the Word, serve and lead.

 

I am thankful that our pastor is committed to this. I am thankful that he does not get all wrapped up in hot topics or current events. Sure, he addresses them, but when he does, he does it in the light of the scripture that he is preaching through. And frankly, this is what people are hungry for. The crowd at church did not come to hear how wonderful they are. The people at church did not come to hear who they should vote for in November. They came to hear the word of God. Why? Because the word of God is the word of God. It is the voice of God. It is the very mind of God. It is the mouth of God speaking to all of us. And who wouldn't want to hear what God thinks and says. It is more important than any news of the day. It is more important than any self-help analysis. It is God…talking to us.

 

How does this hit me? Well, I do a lot of talking on Sunday as well. I have to be sure that what comes out of my mouth is what God is saying, not what I am saying. I have to center my thoughts and my words on the Word. It is the only thing of any value.