Tuesday 26 January 2010

How Did Jesus Connect To His Culture?

He Had Subtle Creativity – John 4:7 “…..Please give me a drink.”

Jesus always had a keen way of getting people’s attention and getting his point across. He hardly ever mentioned “religious” things.He was very creative in the way he addressed the issues of His day. He never crammed His message down the throats of the listener. He always found a way to cleverly get His point across with great questions and interesting stories.

He Had Substantive Content – Luke 4:32 There, too, the people were amazed at the things he said, because he spoke with authority.

Jesus made sure His words mattered. He had an interesting story to tell. He did not take his chance to speak for granted by wasting time with fluff. He made sure every word and every story had substance and was not just symbolic. His words had meaning and impact to the listener. His point was not always accepted, but very seldom was it missed.

He Had Social Context – 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 “……. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some……

Jesus spoke to the culture of His day. He used examples the listener would understand. He knew if He wanted to get His point across, He would have to be culturally relevant. Jesus did not just assume the whole world would take what He had to say seriously. He spoke into the lives of people where they were, not where He was or wanted them to be. This made them want to listen and learn. He knew what to say to His disciples as well as what to say to those outside of His circles.

He Had Simple Clarity – Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.

Jesus did not use the religious “mumbo jumbo” that only His followers could define. The Pharisees probably hated how “common” He was, but those to whom Jesus ministered had no problem understanding what Jesus was saying. So often in our church culture we use words like “fellowship”, “ministry”, “brother”, “soul-winning” and then wonder why the world looks at us like we are aliens. Jesus was smart enough to keep it simple. It’s the 21st century not 1611. Learn how to speak.

He Had Significant Character - Luke 2:52 “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men”

No one ever had a hard time identifying Jesus. Even those that hated him knew exactly who He was, who He claimed to be, and what He stood for. His character spoke much louder than His words. He backed up His words with character that impacted this world like no other.

He Had Solid Consistency – Philippians 3:13-14 “……but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead……

Jesus never lost focus. Nothing distracted Him. Even the devil himself was confounded when trying to debate Jesus in the wilderness. We have to stay on mission all the time. Jesus never wasted energy on things that did not matter. Not once. Everything he said and did was for a purpose; the same purpose. Doing the work of His Heavenly Father.

He Had Selfless Conduct – Matthew 10:45 “For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus proved time and time again that he did not come to be served but to serve. His actions proved that he believed what he said. He served and met the physical needs of others before he addressed their spiritual needs. Through His conduct, He earned the right to speak into the lives of others. Even before His death He was selfless… “Not my will, but Thine be done”

source: rustygoodwin.com