As Christians, we ought to bring all types of folks to Jesus. Following the pattern set forth in the Gospels, we ought to bring:
The Sick
Matthew 4:24 – “So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.”
Matthew 8:16 – “That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.”
The Insane
Matthew 9:32 – “As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him.”
Those whom the Church Fails to Help
Mark 9:17-20 – “And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.”
The Helpless
Luke 5:18-19 – “And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus.”
The Blind
Luke 18:35,40 – “As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging…And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near…”
The Seekers
John 1:41-42 – “He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).”
John 12:20-22 – “Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.”
The Doubters
John 1:45-46 – “Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.'”
The Sinful
John 8:3 – “The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst”
The Sorrowing
John 11:28 – “When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, ‘The Teacher is here and is calling for you.'”
What about you? Do you know anyone who is sick? helpless? blind? seeking? doubting? sinful? Chances are, your answer is “yes”. Take these men and women to Jesus.