I am challenged to live like Jesus and to MINISTER like Jesus. Anyone who claims to lives in relationship with Christ is commanded to live, to “walk” (KJV), as Jesus did. “Walk” is metaphor for “lifestyle” or “a way to live life.” John’s command to “live as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6) is NOT just wishful thinking, an unrealistic goal, or an impossible achievement. The empowerment resulting from personal connection with Christ is what makes this possible.
As a pastor, an under-shepherd of the Great Shepherd, shouldn’t I focus upon the ministry pattern presented by the life and leadership of Jesus Christ? The Gospel accounts provide an excellent picture of how Jesus lived and of how Jesus ministered.
Jesus’ earthly ministry is a display of the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ preaching ministry is radically different than the teachings of the scribes. The Gospels tell of Jesus teaching with authority. His words penetrate truth and His miracles testify the power of God. His listeners have reason to believe that the Kingdom is at hand. Power encounters mixed with public proclamation certainly help to communicate the message of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew describes the unusual nature of the teaching ministry of Jesus. Matthew 7:28-29 NIV records, “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” Unfortunately, I can relate to Pastor John Fyre’s admission, “Sometimes I feel that my congregation is more dazed than amazed when I get done speaking” (Jesus The Pastor, p.33).
Amazed! The people recognize the strength of Jesus’ teaching ministry even if they do not comprehend fully what Jesus says. Jesus’ words probably carry a tone that is easily distinguished as authoritative. Perhaps, a limited example can be seen in my wife. Patti is a gifted teacher and God has certainly given her a special ability to bring discipline within a classroom. Even in the earlier days of her student-teaching at Victory Christian School (Tulsa, Oklahoma), a few kids referred to her as “The Law.” Patti speaks with strength and carries herself in a manner that encourages respect. There is something different about the way she organizes a teaching session, and Jesus’ teaching ministry clearly reveals something different about Him.
However, I do not reason that Jesus’ teaching was simply authoritative in tone. The crowds surrounding Christ witness more. The authority of His words exceeds anything that Patti displays in an instructional environment. His words carry their own power, their own influence, their own jurisdiction, their own command, their own strength.
Some teachers of Jesus’ day may rely heavily upon the recognized credentials of Jewish rabbis, but Jesus does not depend on the commentaries of others to validate His words. Jesus speaks with authority (Greek – exousia). He speaks in the power of the Holy Spirit. He speaks the message of heaven with the inspiration of heaven. He teaches with authority, and miraculous power-encounters follow his instruction.
The preaching/teaching ministry of Jesus naturally flows into His healing ministry. Jesus certainly ministered the full Gospel. While a student at Oral Roberts University, I hear Richard Roberts (then president of ORU)summarize Jesus’ ministry as: “Jesus came to take off you what the devil put on you, to take out of you what the devil put in you, to put back what the devil took off, and to put back in what the devil took out.” I am inspired as I consider Jesus’ ministry of preaching, teaching, AND healing. As a pastor, sometimes it is easy to get focused on the preparation of the oral communication of a sermon. I need Holy Spirit sensitivity for full Gospel ministry, expecting God’s total salvation (and healing) to show up.
After illuminating the astonishment of the crowd, Matthew underscores Jesus’ exousia by recounting the cleansing of the man with leprosy, the releasing of the centurion’s servant, the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, and the calming of the Galilean storm (Matthew 8). Matthew chronicles the extraordinary miraculous power of Jesus Christ the Messiah. Power encounters mixed with public proclamation communicate the message of the Kingdom of Heaven.
I must maintain close, intimate relationship with the Chief Shepherd Jesus Christ in order to be effective. To live and to minister like Jesus did means collaboration with Christ Jesus in Holy-Spirit-empowered pastoral ministry. I am expecting God to move in 2013. I pray that I may see God’s power released every time I communicate the message of the Kingdom.
