“Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, but he went out among the people, traveling from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, encouraging the people to return to the LORD, the God of their ancestors.”
2 Chronicles 19:4 NLT
Evidently, Jehoshaphat wanted everyone to experience grace. After all, God had just spared his life on a battlefield he should have never entered. So instead of staying in the comforts of his palace, Jehoshaphat went out among his people, encouraging them to return to the LORD, the God of grace.
Jehoshaphat’s actions remind me of another King some eight hundred years later who also could have stayed in the comforts of His home. Instead, King Jesus left heaven and went out among the people. However, He not only encouraged people to return to the LORD, Jesus showed them HOW.
Most Bible translations indicate that Jehoshaphat regularly went out among the people. He did not simply make a one-time appearance to preach AT them or to condemn them for turning away from God—and neither did Jesus. He did not come to condemn—He came to save. He did not just preach about the Way—He SHOWED the Way. Jesus lived among us so we could SEE the Way in person.
Jehoshaphat went out among the people to share God’s grace—Jesus came to BE God’s grace. Jesus not only lived AMONG the people—He died FOR the people!
Jesus lived among people so I could experience His grace.
So, will I too live among people and show them that same grace?
