Pray & Share Jesus With All You Encounter – Especially Those Who Don’t Know Jesus (Yet)

Word-Of-The-Day:  (13) The man who was healed had no idea who it was (who healed him), for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. (14) Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” (John 5:13-14)

Lately, as part of our Great Commission witnessing to those we encounter, my wife bought a large bag of miniature Jesus figurines that have a sash that says ‘Jesus Loves You‘ (the ‘Love’ being a red heart instead of the word). Most of the recipients have been wait staff, while others have been cashiers in stores. So far, all have been very positive and uplifting in their response when receiving one, even those who are dour and sour do a complete turnaround and are smiling and appreciative in their countenance.

Most answer with ‘thank you‘ or ‘God bless‘, as we share with them that ‘everyone needs a little Jesus in their life‘ and provide them with the Gospel message, usually brief as they need to go to the next customer waiting for them. We understand that while our encounter will not likely be the one to lead them to Christ, it is hoped it provides them food for thought.

We also ask if they need prayer; most will say ‘no’ or something like, ‘for peace’. But some will have a legitimate need, and ask for us to pray for them or a loved one who is ill – and we will pray either with them or in earshot if they’ve moved to the next table, whether they respond with ‘no’ or with a need.

Now a Jesus figurine will never replace the real Jesus. It is given out to be a tangible reminder; perhaps it will crack their heart to be more receptive toward the next person who encounters them with the Gospel, or – perhaps at home pulling ‘Jesus’ out of their pocket – inspires them to pray or dust off their Bible and perhaps read a verse or two, and begin a journey in their lives where they can be openly introduced (or re-introduced) to the Lord and prayerfully, eventually, come into a saving relationship with Him.

The truth is most people we all encounter know of the Lord, but do not know the Lord. Most encounters are very brief and will not lead to someone accepting Jesus on the spot, though it can (and has) happened. Most of us know someone, either a friend or family member, or that waiter or waitress we briefly interact with, who through their actions or words make it clear they do not know the Lord.  If they get sick, are having a bad day, or have something negative happen in their lives, is it OK to pray for them?  Will Jesus perform a miracle for someone who doesn’t directly ask first for help?  The answers are yes, and yes. 

Here in John 5, we have a man who was laying at the Sheep Gate who had been paralyzed or unable to walk for 38 years.  He had been at the Sheep Gate for some time, as the pool next to it (according to some transcripts) offered healing for those paralyzed when it got stirred up by an ‘angel of the Lord‘.

Others had help to get into the pool and this man did not, thus he was there for a long time waiting.  But someone must have had the faith in the pool’s power to carry him to the pool, even if they did not stick around to get him into the pool.  The man did not know of Jesus or who Jesus was…   

Jesus walked by, saw the man, and He asked him if he wanted to be healed.  The man told Jesus no one was there to help him get into the pool (and it was a Sabbath day, so likely no one was going to ‘work’ to pick him up anyway).  Jesus spoke to him and said, “Get up, walk away, but pick up your mat.”  While the man was getting up and picking up the mat, Jesus left him and was lost in the crowds, so the man did not know who healed him.

The man, after his healing, went to the temple.  He was not looking for the Pharisees, as they had already hassled him about carrying his mat on the Sabbath. The man told them what happened, and that he did not know who healed him.  The man likely went to the temple to thank God. 

Jesus went up to the man (the man did not go to Jesus, an important distinction) to inform him it was He who healed him, as the man later told other Jews (and the Pharisees) it was Jesus who healed him on the Sabbath.  Jesus can heal first, then come back to ask for Faith, and acceptance of His Lordship.     

If you know of someone who is mentally ill, or physically sick or injured, and they do not know Jesus, pray for them.   Pray for their healing as well as their salvation.  They may indeed be healed by Jesus but not turn to the Lord.  God does love all people per John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world….”) even though not all people return their love to Him in kind. 

Be ready to pray for those who you encounter, even if you know little about them. You don’t need to carry a bag of ‘Lil’ Jesus’s‘ around, either; you already carry Jesus with you to share. Provide to them that the Lord loves them, ask them if you can pray for them, and even if they say no, pray for them anyway. Don’t be afraid to share Jesus with them.

Don’t be confused, God loves all His people, but He only provides Salvation to ‘His children’ – those who accept His love and return it through their Faith.  Pray for a non-Christian loved one to be healed, even if they are stubborn in accepting the Lord.