People have estimated Jesus walked over 3,100 miles in his ministry. That’s impressive. Whether your conclusion is he ministered for one, two and a half or three years, he went out. Now, he didn’t go out into all the world. His ministry was to a particular region.
Come to think of it, others have traveled more in their ministry. Apostle Paul probably logged in more than ten thousand miles. We put John Wesley’s total at more than 250,000 miles, twenty miles a day for forty years.
Of course, the point is not to compare. Context is everything. My guess is Paul and John Wesley would have traveled more, if they could have. Other evangelists like them would have, too. They can’t help it. It’s a drive they have. Plus, I’m sure I’ve even traveled more than Jesus did.
Ephesians 2 affirms Christ as the cornerstone of God’s union of the Jews and Gentiles. It was God’s work to bring all people together. It remains God’s work. That’s important to clarify because it reminds us of God’s priority. We also get reminded of what our priority should be as well. How far was God willing to go to make peace between both groups of people? God sent Jesus. And, as Ephesians 2:17 says, Jesus came and proclaimed peace to those who were both near and far off.
Now, the text isn’t thinking geographically, like those who were near or far in terms of miles. In relation to God’s law, some were closer than others. Still, this great message of Jesus didn’t get shared in the world by Jesus. That’s where the apostles picked up his mission. They traveled. They traveled so much and had such an impact, you and I even share their faith.
And there’s our reminder. It may seem basic or trivial. It is not. The work we do as God’s people is, truly, God’s work. Jesus didn’t intend to travel any more miles than he did. He knew preparing his disciples would take care of that.
Today, think about the miles you put in for God’s work. Are you making a trip to visit someone who is ill? Did you make a phone call that spanned across town? Did you drive to a school, a jail, nursing home or shelter? Those are holy miles Jesus knew would be covered by faithful disciples.
Stay blessed…john
