It is the question of nature versus nurture. Do our genetics make us who we are, or is it the world around us that creates the person we must be?
Do we even have a choice in the matter? Can we take our bad situation and make it into something better?
In the book of Luke, we find three situations giving four examples of people who were presented with a choice, yet they could only take one of two paths: to follow Jesus or not to follow Jesus. That is the choice we must all make each and every day.
Let’s look at these examples and the choice each person made.
Example #1: We can run away from Jesus.
Jesus and the Twelve came unto the land of the Gadarenes, near Galilee. A naked man filled with devils began to taunt Jesus, saying, “What have I to do with you, Jesus, you who are the holy Son of God? Do not torment me, I beg of you.”
Jesus cast the devils into a herd of swine, and they ran into a lake and drowned. In Luke 8:37 we read where the people of the region learned what Jesus had done, and they were frightened and ran away.
The mighty power of Jesus frightens those who choose not to believe.
Example #2: We can run to Jesus.
The naked man saw things differently than his fellow countrymen. He ran after Jesus, for he knew where his salvation originated. He wished to follow after the one who carried the power of the Almighty God.
Instead, in Luke 8:39, Jesus told him to return to his house and tell others what God had done for him.
Running to Jesus makes us a great witness for the glory of the Father.
Example #3: We can become one with Jesus.
In a different story, the woman with the issue of blood knew only desperation. Yet, she was convinced that if she could touch the hem of Jesus’ garment, she would be healed.
Jesus immediately knew when that magical touch was made. For in that brief moment of contact, she was one with him, and his power flowed into her body, making her whole.
Luke 8:48 reveals Jesus’ heartfelt response: “Daughter, be of good comfort: your faith has made you whole.”
Jesus wants us to connect with him, for that is when his power flows into us.
Example #4: We can trust in Jesus.
Jairus was the ruler of the synagogue, a man of some power, with aides under him. He was responsible for selecting those who participated in the services, as well as carrying the sacred scrolls to be read in the services.
He was powerful in the synagogue, yet his daughter was dying, and there was nothing he could do. Even so, going to Jesus was probably a last act of desperation, for there was often contention between the synagogues and the believers who followed Jesus.
Before Jesus could respond, a message for Jairus arrived, telling him not to bother the teacher. His daughter was already dead.
In Luke 8:50 Jesus reassured Jairus, telling him that his daughter would be well, if only he believed and had faith.
Jairus chose to trust Jesus, and his daughter lived once again.
We have a choice also: Do we choose to adore or deny Jesus? Luke 9:25 tells us that if we gain the whole world and lose ourselves, we have gained nothing.
Joshua 24:15 makes our choice even clearer, for he tells us we are to choose whom we will serve. We can serve the gods of this world, or we can serve the Lord.
The choice is simple. We can run to Jesus, or we can run the other direction. Which will we choose?
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