This post is the result of YEARS of thinking and praying through how and why Jesus Christ walked in His ministry.
Jesus Christ’s ministry began after He received the Holy Spirit. This clearly has to be a significant part of our faith, that the Holy Spirit will fill us and be present with us and affect not only our own lives, but the lives of others around us.
Jesus Christ walked found a group of people right away and taught them. Having these initial 12 people means He always had an open crowd with Him most of the time. That means that He was able to draw all those big crowds, because people instinctively know they can join an open crowd. This will be a crucial first step – to find a group of people who are willing to work together to reach and heal our city through prayer and being inclusive.
Jesus Christ prayed daily. He had a lifestyle of prayer. He bathed the whole movement, and the people and even future believers in prayer. Jesus first prayed for Himself (verses 1-5), then for His disciples (verses 6-19), and finally for all other believers (verses 20-26). Jesus prayed not only for His disciples but also for all others who would believe in Him (John 17:6-26). We can get to the event an hour beforehand and connect with God, creating an “atmosphere of faith” so that when the people come they will find it easy to connect to God for themselves.
Jesus Christ had a positive message and He gave people a positive identity. If someone you look up to tell you that YOU are the light of the world, wouldn’t you listen and begin to take note, maybe even feel good about yourself? We can do this too… we can see the best in people, we can take time to find out what they are good at and encourage them to be the best they can be.
Jesus Christ paid attention to the individual, as well as to the crowd. But from the stories in the NT it seems to me He mainly focussed on the individual. One at a time. He stopped and talked to them, listening to what their problem or need was. He passed through a town which had prepared a feast and had come out to welcome Him, but he said to the hated tax collector: ”Come down Zaccheus I must stay in your house!” and that tax collectors house was in the town He had just ignored. We can do that too. We can stop and listen. We can include people. We can take a moment to hug and hold hands and pray for their needs.
