Stewardship at Ministry: Jesus’ Example
“So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won't get discouraged and give up.” (Heb 12:3)
Once in history lived among us, one who was there at the point of creation, when what is visible now was created from nothingness. Heaven had always been His home; He had never been in a place away from God’s presence. There at home are indescribable creatures, in inexplicable splendor, constantly singing ‘Holy, Holy, Holy...’ From glorious celestial yonder, He came down to earth and fit in a simple society of human beings. He came and lived among people, who have never seen anything else but the physical, the tangible things of earth.
Jesus Christ had to find a way to explain His mission on earth. How could He explain all that He had seen, about His father and home, to such simple minds? What words could He use? Would we contain it? Could we handle such information? But in His wisdom, He was able to tell us all that was necessary for us to know, all that He felt was important for us; and He asked us to have faith, to believe Him and obey Him, without questioning. He pressed on with His mission – even in the face of opposition from without and betrayals from within. He encouraged Simon in Luke 22:31-32, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to test all of you as a farmer sifts his wheat. I have prayed that you will not lose your faith! Help your brothers be stronger when you come back to me.” How could He explain all that happens in the spiritual to us? He decided to tell us to simply follow His lead as He takes care of the spiritual.
So knowing who Jesus is and where He came from, I am more than anxious to hear what He has to say, more so, watch how He lived among us, how He related, what His reaction was to different situations, and His opinion about different issues. This was God incarnate; His life shows us God’s lifestyle, God’s priorities, concerns and God’s heart. Whatever He said, whatever He did… His love for children, His compassion for the sinners, and for the out casts, His passion for the temple, His parables, the sermon-on-the mount… His prayers, His rebuke to the Pharisees, His conversations with people like Nicodemus and the woman at the well, His humility and His love – what an example! He excelled as God’s steward and achieved His mission.
He lived among us; He came to show us how to live, before He died to restore our broken relationship with God. Think about your own stewardship; your God-given assignments – call it ministry, and press on against all odds; march on and move after your Captain.
God bless you!