I was driving around before Christmas and heard over the classical music station, “Check your local guides for a “Messiah” happening near you”

Luke 4:38-39

Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. ³⁹ So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.

Of course they were talking about performances of Handel’s Messiah that pop up everywhere at that time of year, but the words caught me.

Everywhere that Jesus went, there were Messiah Happenings, things occurring in this physical tangible world to prompt those around to think that the Messiah might be here, to point the way to the World without End, the Kingdom of God.

Those who personally encountered Him became local guides, those who had been shown the way, those who had been set free.

Simon’s mother-in-law was one of these local guides. The account of her being healed is the only time we hear of her, we don’t even know her name, but we do know that a Messiah happening happened to her.

There is something about this anonymity that goes with being a local guide. While wonderful things have happened to you, it is not your name that should be remembered, it is the Name of Jesus.

Similarly, it is important not to get too caught up in the happening, but in the Messiah. This lady doesn’t go racing off down the neighbourhood sharing ‘her testimony’ so to speak, instead, she gets up to serve, to wait upon the Lord and those with Him.

While it is wonderful to share what the Messiah has done for us in our physical lives, healing, provision, opportunities, a good local guide takes the time to wait upon others – the literal meaning of the word ‘minister’ – and demonstrate what Jesus can do for our spiritual and eternal lives.

Let us be prepared to step up to this ministry as local guides.

Head: A local guide knows the best places to visit, the good restaurants, the hidden lanes. Reflect on your life and how well God has placed you to tell others about Him, to point out where and how to feed on His Word, and find that narrow way that is Jesus.

Heart: The greatest Messiah Happening that has happened to you is the one that has turned your heart to Him. Think about the local guides that surrounded you at that time and pray especially for them today.

Hands: Find somebody to minister today or this week. By your service and waiting on them, let God use you to show them the Messiah.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that You are the Messiah, the One who came to save. Thank you for saving me and please give me the opportunity to be a local guide, pointing the way to You. Amen.

A song to listen to: Bring Us Back

Nicole Davenport

For these holidays, we are revisiting our Grow Dailys from the Luke series the Way Home 1.