Jesus Preached One By One

Eating along on the Chicago River

Matthew 4:17

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

For much of my life I have seen many of the stories in the New Testament, the miracles, the events and the preaching of Jesus as large public appearances. I don’t know why really, but in my mind the stories of Jesus teaching always had many people attending or involved. As I read them now, I see that Jesus was preaching and pleading with people one by one.  He was interacting with one person in virtually all of the history we have of him. Sure, there were times when many were listening, and a few where he did speak to larger crowds, but the vast majority of what we have in the gospels are of Him answering questions to one person, or healing one person, or simply loving and speaking with one person. Someone was there to witness, and in some cases, many witnessed the event, but Christ's focus was on one person. He was showing that one person the love and care he had for them.

He called each person to repent and follow him.  From the start of his ministry to the end, he was worried about the individual - each individual.  Matthew 4:17 says “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”. People do not repent as a group.  You can only repent on your own.  Jesus was worried about each of them as well as each of us, and He still is.

The kingdom is quickly at hand for every individual. Life is short and the covenant path is available. The Lord works one by one and has not stopped.  He is and will continue to work with and work for you and me.