Before You Leave the House
Rick Mumford -
One day, Jesus was in a bustling crowd, on His way to save the life of a twelve-year-old girl. In the midst of the chaotic scene, a desperate woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years pushed through the crowd to touch Jesus’ cloak, believing she would be healed. This was socially scandalous and religiously improper—a breach of decorum that could make others “unclean.” Yet the moment she did, her suffering stopped.
Instead of continuing toward the urgent need ahead, Jesus stopped everything, asking who had touched Him. The trembling woman came forward and told Him her whole story. He took time to listen, to care, and to engage—even when another crisis lay ahead (Mark 5:21–43).
Did Jesus know her story before she spoke it? Given His status as the Son of God, we can assume He did. Likewise, Jesus knows your whole story, but He still wants to hear it. He wants eye contact. Why? Because He loves you more than you can imagine. Jesus is not a character in a TV show, an idea, an icon, or a story. He created you for a relationship with Himself. He invites you to stop. Be still. Abide. Pray. And enjoy the relationship you will experience for eternity.
If you want to share your faith with others, the first step is not to read a book on evangelism, study apologetics, or even talk to a friend who doesn’t yet know Jesus. Step one is always to be with Jesus.
Did you know that someone who engages the Bible four or more times per week is 228% more likely to share their faith?¹ Is it possible that being with Jesus and abiding in Him actually makes us more like Jesus—more courageous, more compassionate, more insightful? When the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem who killed Jesus saw the courage of Peter and John preaching in that very city just a few weeks later, they “realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men; they were astonished, and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13, NIV).
You are abiding in something or someone. You turn somewhere: to a friend, a drink, a television show, or simply to busyness. Jesus invites us to turn and abide in Him. In fact, He tells us that if we abide in Him, we will bear much fruit, but apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). What’s the difference between everything and nothing? Jesus.
We want tactics and methods and just the right words to share Jesus with others. But as it turns out, step one to reaching our lost friends and neighbors starts before we ever leave the house.
Rick Mumford is Area Director of Search for Greater Kansas City. He is saved by grace, powered by the Holy Spirit, and sustained by a daily dose of coffee.
1 https://www.odbm.org/en/center-for-bible-engagement/research
