The New Year with Jesus
Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Straight to the Cross
We'd like to share a different new year wish from
South Africa. And add your new year blessing as well!
http://www.forthright.net/editorial/a_different_new_year_blessing.html
The New Year with Jesus
by J. Randal Matheny, editor
By January 31st seven out of 10 resolution makers will
give up on their resolutions. Some people react by
showing disdain for resolutions. But the new year does
provide a special moment.
God gave us the heavenly bodies to mark the seasons,
days and years (Genesis 1:14). Hence, we do well to
think of passing from the old year to the new as a new
chance, a clean slate, another opportunity for growth
and service.
How did Jesus start his ministry? In Mark 1:14-39,
seeing several keys to his start will help us to make
a great start - and conclusion - of our new year.
With these keys, let's note a both/and quality.
1. Public and Personal Ministry.
At the start of his ministry, Jesus went to the
synagogue (Mark 1:21). He worked among the people. On
Saturdays, he went to the synagogues. On feast days,
he was in the temple at Jerusalem. He went to weddings
and banquets. He taught multitudes from the
mountainside and from the seashore. People lined the
roads where he walked. He was accessible to the crowds
and served the many.
At the same time, Jesus worked with individuals. He
chose 12 to be with him and to learn. He apparently
stayed in Peter's house. Here (verses 29-31), he heals
Peter's mother-in-law. He was willing to talk with
such diverse people as the outcast Samaritan woman and
the cream of society like Nicodemus.
Jesus worked the crowds and took time for individuals.
Our new year should include both groups and one-on-
one. Our high-tech world needs a high-touch ministry.
Visitation programs are good, personal initiative is
even better. Public and personal. There is time for
both.
2. Teaching and Helping.
Jesus' main activity, his principle concern, was
communicating the word of God (21). He begins his
ministry by "proclaiming the gospel of God" (14).
His preaching brought truth about the time and
communicated urgency about the approaching kingdom. He
was specific about what people should do.
But Jesus was not mere talk. His life showed the truth
of his words. He expels unclean spirits (23-26), heals
the sick, feeds the hungry. He does these things
because of his compassion. Though he did not come to
change man's physical and material condition, as he
had opportunity he did bring relief as a sign of the
spiritual blessing he would later bestow. It's his
healing of the man with the unclean spirit that
qualifies his teaching as authoritative.
Like Jesus, our new year needs to include both
teaching and example. One is useless without the
other. Teaching without example avails little; without
our teaching the gospel, people will never understand
our compassionate action.
3. Giving and Receiving.
Jesus went among the multitudes (32-34). He healed
many, cast out many demons. People surrounded him
constantly. He didn't merely fit people into his
schedule; people were his schedule. In Peters house,
he healed at night, when it was time for rest. (No
electricity, no activity!)
Jesus sought the Father (35). At the same time, he
knew that he needed to be alone with the Father in
prayer. He needed to commune with his Father.
We need for the new year a balance between service and
devotion, giving and receiving. If you're up late
giving to people, you need to be up early receiving
strength from time with God.
4. Interruptions and Priority.
Jesus welcomed interruptions (23ss; 32-34). He never
expressed frustration when people sought him out.
People constantly imposed upon him. He knew how to say
no when necessary, but he also was willing to listen
to others and consider their needs.
At the same time, Jesus honored his priority (36-39).
(Priority is one.) He never forgot the reason why he
came to earth, to bring man to God. Here, he turns his
back on the multitude. In Johns gospel, he sends the
crowd away. Another time, he sneaks away when the
multitude comes to make him king. Jesus has his
limits, when the priority of his purpose would be
compromised.
In the new year, our interruptions provide a great
opportunity to demonstrate our priority to preach to
as many as possible.
Bottom Line
Before Jesus began his ministry, he obeyed the
commandment to be baptized and dealt with temptation
(Mark 1:9-13). Before we can take advantage of the new
year, we should obey the gospel and deal effectively
with sin. Having done that, were in a good position,
like Jesus, to make the best use of the new year with
his both/and principle.
Doing that, we'll be one of the three of 10 who make
it through 2008 with our resolutions intact. And who
make it, inasmuch as those resolutions reflect the
purpose of God, to eternal life.
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