Let us revisit a topic that is central today in the Christian walk as it has been for the past 2000 years: “being out and about Jesus”.  As we accept Christ as our Lord and Saviour, our lives experience a turnaround for the better! Soon, we will have the confidence to share the Good News of committing to a relationship with Him. Being out and about Jesus necessitates witnessing to the world the experience of a loving God. It is an invitation to belong to the family of Christ, in which we ourselves have been adopted.

Our salvation qualifies each and every one of us for the calling to share the Good News. Whether it is social anxiety, shame, or financial challenges standing in the way, God only requires our availability.. He who calls, qualifies and equips us for the mission. Our infirmities are not a limitation. Where we fall short, we can trust Him to empower us!

Therefore, being out and about Jesus first begins with us understanding that God is pleased with us sharing with those in less fortunate situations. If it is not within our financial means, we can offer our time or even our creativity to help those in need. Hebrews 13: 16 reminds us that such sacrifices do not go unnoticed by God.

Secondly, we have entities that bring people to Christ that we should always be keen to participate in; to heal the sick, feed the poor or visit the orphans through church structures is just as spiritual and pleasing to God as evangelistic campaigns (see Acts 20: 35). Despite being blessed enough, many believers find this opportunity challenged by other obligations in life. An exam or a business opportunity soon becomes a legitimate reason to miss an appointment with God. Others are too selective, even picky, about where God should use them – not in a shelter for the homeless or a football field – yet our Master’s first miracle was not in a place of convenience.

In John 4, Jesus Christ, in His exhaustion and hunger, demonstrated to us that God uses us mightily when we make ourselves available in our discomfort. God will expect us to give out of the inconvenience we face, yet He will soon bless us in abundance for our sacrifice. Little that is managed faithfully and well calls for promotion (Luke 16: 10). This applies to investing in the Kingdom of God. The church grows with our financial resources supporting the Work of God.  And for that we are blessed (Acts 20: 35).

Being out and about implies leaving things that are dear to us. We are to know that what used to dictate our lives will challenge the position of Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Thus, Christ invites us to entrust the yoke of that burden to Him (Matthew 11: 28), rather than turning away like the young man, who, like many of us, established his possessions as authority above Jesus Christ (see Matthew 19: 21-22 and Matthew 10: 37-39). The body of Christ works in unity and harmony when all are fuelled by the same Hope, serving One Lord, Christ Jesus.

Lastly, the joy of our salvation drives our genuine participation in the salvation of others. Sharing what God has done for us through our testimony fosters hope for those held captive in hopelessness. We are overcomers because of the blood of the Lamb and the words of our testimony!

When we hear about Benjamin, we often think of him only as Joseph’s little brother or Rachel’s last born son. However, he plays a pivotal role in the salvation of his nation. God always uses seemingly insignificant people; for example, he picked a man like Moses, despite his speaking problem, and a man like Gideon from the smallest tribe, making him a mighty warrior. Now, God has specifically chosen us to work with. We are called the Benjamin Generation and to understand what it means to be a Benjamite, we will look at the parallels between Joseph, Jesus, Benjamin, and us.

Similarities between Joseph and Jesus

Joseph knew from a young age that he was called for a greater purpose (see Genesis 37:5-6), just as Jesus knew that He was called for something great (see Luke 2:41-49). Joseph was hated and rejected by his brothers, and Jesus was also hated and rejected by His nation. Joseph was said to have been killed by His brothers, but years later, was found alive. Jesus, on the other hand, was actually killed by His own and, three days later, He was resurrected. Joseph was given the second-highest name in Egypt after promotion by pharaoh, whereas Jesus was given the highest name, above all names, after His resurrection.

Comparison between Benjamin and Us

Benjamin was not there when his brothers sold Joseph, just as we were not there when Jesus was sacrificed on the cross; we only learned about Him later. Benjamin did not know who Joseph was, but Joseph knew Benjamin, similar to how we did not know Jesus when He died on the cross, but Jesus knew us. Benjamin’s acceptance to meet Joseph led to the salvation of His people, just as our acceptance to follow Jesus leads to salvation for us and our loved ones. Joseph called Benjamin to Egypt, and likewise, Jesus calls us to be with Him (see 2 Peter 1:3). Joseph gave Benjamin five times more than his brothers; similarly, when we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, He gives us many gifts, with the greatest being the Holy Spirit. We are privileged not only to have the Holy Spirit, but to have received the fruits of the Holy Spirit as well (see Galatians 5:22-23).

When Benjamin’s brothers came to take Him to Egypt, he didn’t know who he was going to meet or the gifts he would receive, but he accepted because he saw the need of his nation. He acted by faith for the sake of his people and was rewarded. Benjamin could have refused, but he stood up so his nation could be provided for. Unlike Benjamin, we know who we are collaborating with—we know Jesus saved us and God’s heart for His people and we need to decide to stand up for our families, friends, and nation. The world needs the Bread of Life, and we hold it along with Living Water. Yet we watch the world struggle to satisfy their hunger and thirst.

As the Benjamin Generation, because we have the answer to the world’s hunger and thirst, we ought to present ourselves as the Benjamites we are called to be. We can do this in three ways:

Firstly, through prayer; it is the pathway to getting God’s Will done in heaven on earth. We are to make the principalities of this world bow down to the name above all names – Jesus Christ—as we stand in the gap between their claim on the world and the call to salvation on people’s lives. Thus, we shouldn’t neglect the power of prayer, praying without ceasing (see 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Secondly, we need to be Christ-like; as kingdom citizens, it is important to imitate Christ and show Him to others through our actions. We can do this by spending time in His Word as focusing on Jesus and who He is will help us become more like Him. Thirdly, we ought to live a life of grace. As Christians, we tend to look at our brothers and sisters unworthily due to the do’s and don’ts of Christianity as a religion, making it hard to understand grace. This can keep people out of the church and if we do that to each other, what of the people in the world? We need to extend the grace we have received by approaching others with love, compassion and understanding, rather than judgement. Understanding that we too have fallen short will help us do so.

Finally, when we find ourselves carrying burdens—fear, anxiety, and worry— to seek the kingdom of God, we need to drop our burdens otherwise we will not be able to carry someone else’s. Jesus Christ invites us to cast all our burdens at His feet because He cares for our needs (see 1 Peter 5:7). He wants us to present ourselves as Benjamites freely, without anything weighing us down!

Prayer is central to our relationship with Jesus Christ and accompanying it with the Word of God is essential. Praying in God’s thoughts is important as opposed to our own because on our own, we have a limited and biased understanding of who He is. He is not who we think He is but who His Word says He is and cannot be described apart from it. Being filled with His Word deepens our understanding of Him and also aligns our prayers with His Will, achieving all that He purposed for us. To understand how we get the Word of God, the parable in Matthew 13:18–23, illustrates this, with the seed symbolizing the Word and different grounds on which the seed is planted representing our hearts.

The first ground is the WAYSIDE. This represents those who hear the Word but do not understand it. When they hear the Word, although present, their minds are preoccupied elsewhere. The devil (or enemy) takes profit of this by diverting their attention further. Even sleep can become a destructive tool that the enemy can use. We see this in Acts 20:9-11 when Paul resurrected a man who fell asleep and fell to his death. Paul’s response to this was to resurrect the man, demonstrating how vital the Word is, more vital than death itself. Sleep shouldn’t be an obstacle if even death won’t deter us! John 10:10 states that the devil’s goal is to steal, kill and destroy.

This is an important sequence because he always begins by stealing the Word of God from us first. He is unconcerned about our possessions and other things because, the Word of God is a seed, and when taken, we are left with nothing to reproduce in this world for there is power in the seed.

Following the wayside ground is the STONEY ground. Although the Word is enthusiastically received and understood by those here, it is not ingrained in them. This is because of the suffering and persecution brought upon as a result of the Word they received. Since the enemy could not divert their attention, he introduces these trials and tribulations so that they may lose faith in the Word. He persuades them into believing that the Word is false, casting doubt on it because of all of life’s problems. Since receiving the Word is the source of these difficulties, we should remain steadfast, and not give up on it. When we let God’s Word not only guide but define us, it is then that it usually takes root. As a result, all we do is done in and with God’s Word and so our faith cannot be shaken by trials and tribulations.

Next is the THORNY ground and this is where individuals hear the Word and understand it but having triumphed over distractions, trials and tribulations, the enemy presents life’s cares to them. This includes the attractive side of life like the pursuit of wealth and attaining luxury. Because their concentration is on these cares, the Word is then suffocated in them. This is why Jesus tells us to seek the kingdom of God first (see Matthew 6:33), because when we prioritize these, we can become slaves of our pursuits, and when not gained, because we’re defined by these things, the Word is easily choked in us. Let us then identify ourselves according to God’s Word rather than our accomplishments and prioritize His kingdom first, for He knows we need these things and will add them to us accordingly.

Finally, the last ground is the FERTILE ground. This is the heart posture we ought to strive towards. Here are those who hunger for God’s Word. When they receive the Word, they understand it, and give it room to grow inside them. In verse 23, it states that a seed sown in good soil will provide a harvest that is thirty, sixty, or even one hundred times larger than what was originally planted. However, we are promoting the hundredfold! This we can attain in accordance with Mark 4:23–25. Jesus tells us to pay attention to “what” we hear. In Luke 8:18 “how” we hear is also essential in addition to what we hear. The “how” involves a hearing heart, our attitude, and our diligence; and the “what” involves the true substance of the Word of God.

Thus when meditating, let us take heed in consuming the true substance of the Word diligently for it has the quality of revealing Jesus Christ, even inspiring us to fall even more in love with Him. As a result, much more will be given when possess both the “what” and the “how” of receiving the Word. This implies that there will be an outpouring of understanding and revelation. Getting distracted during meditation can result in the total loss of even the little that we may have gained.

Meditation is a powerful tool for receiving understanding and revelation from God and so possessing a hundredfold of it allows us to see aspects such as healing in the fullness of how God intended. Since the enemy is unable to take the Word from us in the fertile ground, he will still attempt to keep us at less than a hundredfold because that is where the victory of the Believer lies. Moreover, revelation is what keeps the Word fresh in us. Psalms 1:2-3 describes Believers that delight and meditate daily on God’s Word, as trees bearing fruit each season, never withering and prospering in all their endeavors.

Everything is contained in the seed, that is, the Word, and its power lies not in its appearance but inside it. In Genesis 1:11-13, God created everything through a seed, and this was done on the third day. The number three symbolizes manifestation and resurrection. This reminds us of Jesus, the seed of God, who died on the third day. His death brings life to us, just like a seed must die to reproduce. The power of the seed is greater than death. Therefore, no matter what we go through, we will continue to be fruitful. The seed has more life than the death, or adversity, that surrounds it. The Word can create, offer life, direction, and hope. We should meditate on it day and night, so that when we accompany our prayers with it, we can reap the fruits that come from it.

God has given each of us a unique ability to serve in His Kingdom and be a light in the world through Jesus Christ’s testimony. According to Matthew 5:14, we shouldn’t hide our light in worldly distractions, trying to make a name for ourselves outside of Christ. Instead, Jesus encourages us to use our light within His Church where it can shine brightly.

Matthew 5:14 tells us it’s God’s will for us to let our light shine, but to do that, we need to come out of hiding. This means stepping out of places that offer a false sense of security and prevent us from using the gifts God gave us, as mentioned in Revelation 12:11. The first and most crucial step is receiving salvation in Jesus Christ to position ourselves to shine.

Now, here are some common hiding places we urgently need to leave. Proverbs 31:6-7 reminds us not to find comfort in the counterfeit peace and freedom offered by alcohol and substances. True deliverance comes from being filled with the Holy Spirit and God’s Word (Ephesians 5:18).

We also need to be cautious about the careless use of social media. Seeking counsel blindly on these platforms can lead to despair. God provides mentorship and accountability in the faith, aiding our growth and strength.

Abandoning a pretentious personality, seeking validation by portraying someone we’re not, is important. Colossians 3:12 encourages us to embrace the qualities found in the Holy Spirit and experience the freedom of our identity in Christ.

Embracing authenticity, we become a source of encouragement to others who can now connect with us and truly appreciate us for who we are, not just an idealized version of ourselves. Similarly, we must avoid isolating ourselves by thinking too highly of ourselves or pretending to know more than others, as this lacks wisdom (refer to Proverbs 18:1).

Likewise, it’s crucial to acknowledge and move away from self-righteousness, which involves outward actions without the necessary inner change and transformation of salvation. We can’t extend God’s grace if we harbor disdain for others, thinking ourselves holier than our neighbors. In contrast, Jesus instructs us in Luke 7:47 that to radiate our light, we must stay grounded in the truth that we show grace to others today because we’ve received abundant grace ourselves.

Lastly, we shouldn’t count ourselves out due to financial difficulties, whether in lack or abundance (Luke 12:48). Considering ourselves know-it-alls leads to arrogance (1 Corinthians 8:2). We need meekness and a teachable spirit to serve God’s Kingdom with our gifts.

Communion with God is understood as an intentional and intimate relationship where thoughts, feelings, and desires are shared; it is at the heart of the Christian faith. From the very beginning, God’s design for humanity was to live in close relationship with Him (see Genesis 1:26 & Revelation 21:3-4). 

When sin infiltrated the world, it broke this communion, casting humanity out of God’s direct presence. Despite this separation, God placed a longing for Him in the hearts of people—a desire for the Divine that continues through the generations (see Ecclesiastes 3:11). In response, God took steps to restore the broken relationship, beginning with His call to Abraham and the establishment of Israel as His chosen people. 

Through Israel, God gave the commandments and instructions for worship, creating a framework for communion with Him. Ultimately, God then sent Jesus Christ, who announced the coming of the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, remind, and reveal the truth of God to His people, ensuring that the communion once lost could be restored and maintained (see John 14:16). The Holy Spirit birthed the church as the community where this restored communion with God could flourish. 

Within the church, spiritual leaders are appointed to shepherd, guide, and teach believers, helping them stay connected to God and His purposes. The church, therefore, becomes the vital space where individuals receive spiritual nourishment, correction, and encouragement, fostering an environment where faith can grow and flourish. Therefore, belonging to a local church is essential for every believer, as it provides a context for discipleship, collective worship, and mutual growth. It is within the church that we are equipped to live out our faith, taught the truths of Scripture, and held accountable for our spiritual walk (see Matthew 28:19-20). 

The church offers unique blessings through its collective unity, where the gifts and grace of each member contribute to the spiritual well-being of the whole body (see Psalm 133:1-3). In the church, believers are not only encouraged to worship and pray together but also to stand in solidarity against the forces of darkness, fighting spiritual battles through collective prayer and intercession (see Mark 3:24–26, Acts 12:5). The church also serves as a place for personal growth, as members use their unique gifts in service to one another, maturing as followers of Christ (see Romans 12:5-7). 

More importantly, the church offers protection, as it serves as a refuge where believers can find support and strength in times of trial, preventing spiritual isolation that leaves them vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks (see 1 Peter 5:8). The church also provides accountability, encouraging believers to live lives that reflect their faith, while offering correction when necessary (see 1 Timothy 4:15, Luke 2:52). 

Ultimately, the church is a spiritual family, where believers encourage one another, bear each other’s burdens, and grow together in love, unity, and faith (see Hebrews 10:24-25, Ecclesiastes 4:9). A church grounded in biblical truth, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and centred on Christ’s love is essential for maintaining and deepening communion with God, as it provides the environment and support necessary for spiritual flourishing and the fulfilment of God’s purposes in our lives.