Jesus' Path of Ministry

Jesus' Path of Ministry

"Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali 
(Matthew 4:12) 

I remember my father saying: "There's a right way, and a wrong way, and there's my way." Since my father was in authority, we did things his way.

What is the right path of ministry? In close to fifty years of pastoral ministry, I have seen, and participated in many programs of ministry. We can wonder if we are heading in the right direction, as we involve ourselves in several ministerial activities in the church.

But I don't feel that we can go wrong when we follow the path of ministry that Jesus set before us in the gospels. It was foretold in prophecy (Isaiah 9:1-2) that Jesus would begin His ministry in a place where there was great need. The regions of Zebulun, and Naphtali were afflicted and oppressed for years. Jesus began His ministry in a place that needed heaven's light of hope. That's what Jesus brought to this area, and to the world.

So what should this say to us as Christians today? The lesson is clear. We should focus our personal ministries on "meeting needs" If we focus on meeting needs, we will also have the opportunity to meet the greatest need that people have; and that is a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. In love we can bring the hope of Jesus to people who are sitting in the distress and darkness of their sin, and daily struggles.

And the message that Jesus brought with Him on His path of ministry was this: "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17) If lost souls will trun from their sin, and dis-belief, and turn to the Savior, they can experience the love, and eternal blessings, that God has for them. GP
 
 Photo: CharlVera - Pixabay.com 

Service With A Smile

"For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." 
(John 13:15)

 Jennifer Benson Schuldt writes:
"As a college student, I heard count- less engagement stories. My starry-eyed friends told about glitzy restaurants, mountaintop sunsets, and rides in horse-drawn carriages. I also recall one story about a young man who simply washed his girlfriend’s feet. His “modest proposal” proved he understood that humility is vital for a lifelong commitment." (ODB 8/27/2011)

 It is a natural tendency to go through our days totally focused on ourselves. After all, we are responsible for ourselves. But when we become a person, who has no thought to the needs of others, that is when, selfishness has really taken over our hearts.

Yes, we are to be mindful of ourselves, but the Lord wants us to be mindful of others also. This was shown in His washing the disciples feet. They had come into the upper room with dirty feet.
The custom was that a servant would be responsible for the task of foot washing. The disciples were shocked, when Jesus grabbed a towel and basin, and started to wash their feet. This act has caused people through the years, to really get a grip on what it means to be a servant, and to exercise humility and concern.

We can get so busy with our lives, so self-absorbed, that we fail to look for the opportunities to be a blessing to others.

People need, and want to cared about. They will not forget, when you reach down to help them in their time of need. How different this world would be, if we constantly had the attitude of Jesus, and had a desire to serve others, instead of focusing on serving ourselves all the time. GP

 fr_golay / 9 images - CCO Public Domain - Free for commercial use - No attribution required - www.pixabay.com

Others

"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, 
but also the interests of others" (Philipppians 2:4)
“Others” By Charles D. Meigs
(written sometime between 1890 and 1902)

Lord help me live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer shall be for – Others.

 Help me in all the work I do
To ever be sincere and true
And know that all I do for you
Must needs be done for – Others.

 Let “Self” be crucified and slain
And buried deep; and all in vain
May efforts be to rise again
Unless to live for – Others.

 And when my work on earth is done
And my new work in heaven’s begun
May I forget the crown I’ve won
While thinking still of – Others.

 Others, Lord, yes others
Let this my motto be
Help me to live for others
That I may live like Thee.

 Photo by stockimages.
Published on 25 September 2012 Stock photo - Image ID: 100103599
www.freedigitalphotos.net