What Would Jesus Do?

“ Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! " Psalms 34:8

So often when people talk about what Jesus would do they only actually mention the moral things that He wouldn’t have done and don’t usually mention how He related to people and reached out.

This is great! Taste This!

Sometimes Christians say “the Kingdom of heaven is here” and those listening are probably thinking “What? Where?”, because they have omitted to demonstrate the Kingdom in any way. Surely Jesus was saying to demonstrate the reality of the Kingdom and then say, “that was a taste of the Kingdom of heaven right here. Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." John 4:39 Jesus revealed who He is at the right time.” If you want to sell a recipe book you don’t go up and say “Here read this recipe. Doesn’t it taste nice?” You give them a taste of the food and then you show them the recipe. We don’t have to rush in with “I’m a Christian; I’m from x church and start going on about the four steps to salvation, or launch in telling them about the cross. Jesus revealed His power to unbelievers in a variety of ways through prophecy, healings, miracles and other signs and then He told them about Himself and the Kingdom.

How did Jesus talk to people

When Jesus saw Nathaniel approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." "How do you know me?" Nathaniel asked. He had his attention just by revealing something simple and yet surprising. We don’t have to go looking for God to give us dramatic things - simple things can be effective. Notice how Jesus communicated it, His first line wasn’t, “I am God and God says to you…” We can learn so much by looking at how Jesus communicated with people. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you." Then Nathaniel declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." Jesus’ prophetic revelation lead to Nathaniel realising who Jesus was.

No more Christianese

Doug Addison who will be with us this month does an excellent teaching called “No more Christianese.” He explains that when you use language people can understand and relate to, they are more likely to be interested in what you have to say. I’ll never forget the scene on the streets when someone I know said to a person they were reaching out to:”Do you want the blood to wash you clean?” The horrified reply of the stranger was, ”No way I don’t want blood over me!” If we have a word from God and yet communicate with people in religious or unnatural ways we usually get their wall up before we’ve even started.

Do what He shows you to do

So many have never really heard the gospel of grace but might have tasted a form of religion or think they know all there is about Jesus. A lot of the time we are sowing seeds into people’s lives, so there is no pressure to get decisions that people are not ready to make. “Jesus only did what He saw the Father doing” John 5:19, 20. We are simply to do what God shows us in each situation that will take that person another step closer to God. It’s important to treat each person as an individual as God has a key to even the hardest hearts.

May we all enjoy and be willing to explore the wonderful ways God wants to use us to reach all those people out there He is longing to know.

With our love and prayers,

Pastors Phil and Caroline.