Sunday, May 8, 2011 am
THE LIFE OF JESUS (18)
Jesus One on One
Throughout the time of His teaching and work, Jesus continually
interacted with others. At
times He dealt with crowds mixed with believers and unbelievers.
At other times He dealt with smaller groups of disciples.
But there were many instances where Jesus to time to interact one
on one with individuals.
Today we will notice some examples of this interaction.
One on one
contact is sometimes the best way to teach others.
It has been proven over and over that one on one conversation
(i.e. personal contact) overwhelmingly reaches more than all the mass
marketing strategies that have been tried combined.
a.
Nicodemus – John 3:1-20,
i.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee
and a ruler of the Jews (3:1)
He came to Jesus by
night, thus indicating He was not openly accepting Jesus from whom He
claimed to be. BUT,
secretly, He did believe in Jesus.
In vs. 2, he described what he had witnessed of Jesus and said,
“No one can do these things that You do unless God is with him.”
We know from later in this letter, that Nicodemus would stand up
for Him.
John 7:50 records Him seeking to get Jesus a fair trial and that the
Pharisees and leaders at least consider what He taught.
John 19:39, after the death of Jesus helped Joseph bury Him.
ii.
How did Jesus respond to
this one who would not openly confess Him?
1.
He patiently and
lovingly taught him the need to commit to Him.
John 3:3-5 mentions the need to be “born again” of water and
Spirit.
This would lead to a conversation which included interaction and rebuke.
Jesus sought to provoke Nicodemus to think based upon what he
already knew.
2.
Notice what is absent:
Name calling and harsh speech.
Jesus didn’t call him an idiot or a moron.
He didn’t call him a hypocrite or a fox (as He would others later
on). He didn’t seek to
belittle him. We don’t even read
of Jesus asking him why he came at night or if he would openly defend
Him. Nicodemus was not there
yet.
3.
In wisdom, Jesus knew
where Nicodemus was at this time and patiently gave him time “to come
around”.
It is interesting to note as one commentator said of the three occasions
where Nicodemus is mentioned: At first, he came to Jesus; then he spoke
for Jesus; finally he honored Jesus. (Coffman).
iii.
From this conversation
we can learn to be kind in our speech and patient in our dealings with
others.
Col. 4:6 challenges us to season our words with salt (make them as
pleasant as possible).
b.
The Samaritan Woman –
John 4:1-26
i.
Jesus is on His way to
Galilee and He goes by way of Samaria.
He stops at a well at Sychar and rests.
While resting, a Samaritan woman comes out to draw water.
Jesus asks for a drink.
The woman asks Jesus, “How is it You, being a Jew, ask a drink
from me, a Samaritan woman?”
Ignoring that statement, Jesus offers her “living water.”
This leads to a conversation in which Jesus reveals that He is
Messiah and she goes into the city and tells everyone about Him.
ii.
Among the observations
we notice here:
1.
Jesus initiates the
conversation (contrast this with Nicodemus who came to Him) – sometimes
we need to do that. It is a
part of being courageous. We
live in a world and time where people keep to themselves (i.e. mind
their own business) to a fault (not getting to know their neighbors,
etc.). Do you know who your
neighbors are?
2.
Jesus ignores the social
norms and prejudices – she was a Samaritan (a despised race of
“half-breeds” according to the Jews, she was a woman (possibly looked
down upon by Jewish males in culture).
What Jesus saw were not her faults but her potential.
Jesus saw a prospect.
Lesson: Sometimes our greatest prospects are where we don’t expect them
to be. Don’t prejudge
anyone! James 2:8-9 condemns prejudice of this sort.
NOTE: Jesus knew the hearts of man and as we find out in His
conversation with this woman He knew of her immoral background, yet he
STILL spoke to and associated with her.
3.
Jesus seeks opportunity
to turn the conversation spiritual.
Realizing there is a soul involved. In our concern for others,
there is much to be said about developing a relationship with someone
BEFORE you try to teach them.
BUT, at some point, the conversation has to turn spiritual of you
are to have an opportunity to teach them the gospel.
That is what Jesus did on this occasion.
iii.
WE can learn much from
the conversation Jesus had with this Samaritan woman.
c.
Zacchaeus – Luke 19:1-10
i.
Jesus is passing through
Jericho where crowds are following Jesus.
Zacchaeus, whom we are told was short and rich, was a chief tax
collector who desired to see Jesus so he climbed into a sycamore tree to
get a view.
Jesus saw him and BY NAME called him down and went to his house.
We are told in the text that Jesus was criticized for going to
“be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”
(Question: To whom would that statement NOT apply?).
We find in Zacchaeus an honest heart willing to change and make
things right. Jesus
said that that day salvation had come to that house as Jesus came to
seek and save the lost.
ii.
Observations from this
account include:
1.
Jesus sought him out.
Sometimes, there are people we know or are acquainted with that
we think might be good prospects (whether they are or not doesn’t matter
for the sake of this point).
We ought to seek opportunities to interact and teach them.
2.
Jesus was more concerned
about souls than social status.
This occasion would bring about criticisms but Jesus didn’t care.
He knew what was MORE important AND He knew He wasn’t sinning in
what He did. Sometimes you
have to do the right thing, even if others don’t like or are critical.
3.
Jesus knew His purpose
and carried it out. This is
true in every example we have examined, but here it is stated in vs. 10,
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost.”
Do we know what our purpose is?
(2 Cor. 5:11, 1 Pet. 3:15, etc.)
d.
The Rich Young Ruler-
Mark 10:17-22
i.
Jesus was going about
when one came running to Jesus and knelt before Him.
He asked Him, “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
Jesus responded by mentioning the keeping of the commandments.
The ruler responded that he had kept the commandments from his
youth.
Jesus, “looking at him, loved him, and said, “One thing you lack: Go
your way, sell whatever you
have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and
come take up the cross and follower Me.” (Mk. 10:21)
Sadly, we know that this ruler went away sorrowful because he was
wealthy and unwilling to part with his possessions.
ii.
Observations from this
account:
1.
Jesus, even though He
knew this man would reject the truth because of his love of things,
still spoke with him in a loving way.
Friends, there is no need to be hateful and harsh in your
conversations, even with the lost.
Such language was reserved for those who blatantly corrupt and
harshly rejected the truth.
We don’t know who will and who will not accept the truth.
That is MORE reason to be gentle in our conversations with
others.
2.
Jesus told him what he
needed to hear, NOT what he wanted to hear.
When speaking with others you CANNOT compromise the truth (Prov.
23:23 – “Buy the truth and do not sell it”).
In fact, if there are circumstances you are aware of that are wrong, you
NEED to bring it up. We
cannot bury the truth, ever!
There are many today who are willing to “convert” someone without
letting them know up front the sacrifices necessary.
That is contrary to the example of Jesus – In Luke 9:57-62 Jesus
was upfront with disciples who came to Him about what was expected.
Even His apostles, knew what they were getting into as we noted
last week.
e.
Mary and Martha – Luke
10:38-42
i.
A simple account of
Jesus visiting with dear friends.
They were believers and cherished by Jesus.
This same Mary and Martha were possibly the same ones we read
about who were sisters to Lazarus (John 11:1-3).
The occasion is a realization that they were with Jesus (and who
He was) and they wanted to show Him hospitality by feeding Him.
As Martha prepared the meal she was upset because Mary was not
helping. She asked Jesus to
rebuke Mary and make her help.
Instead, Jesus loving rebuked Martha because Mary had chosen the
“good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
ii.
Observations about this
account:
1.
Here were true believers
(though not perfect) of Jesus who decided to honor Him.
While such honor is necessary, we need to be careful to honor Him
the right way. In all that
we do and are, we are to put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 13:14), but
we need to realize that some things are more important than others.
Some things are priorities.
We need to consider this when we make decisions about how we are
going to use our time for Him.
We may be the choice of two different things which are both good,
but is one better than the other?
Which one will build me up spiritually and further His kingdom?
2.
Telling the truth to
others doesn’t just apply to unbelievers and prospects (like the rich,
young ruler), but believers as well.
When a brother is overtaken in a fault, we are to seek to restore
them (Gal. 6:1-2 - NOTE that this verse says “restore
such a one in a spirit of
gentleness considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.”)
f.
The adulterous woman -
John 8:1-11
i.
We have here one more
account in the life of Jesus.
This starts out with a crowd.
Actually, it is a mixture of disciples and mob trying to entrap
Jesus. The leaders bring to
Him a woman caught in the very act of adultery.
They want his answer as to what to do with her noting that
according to the Law of Moses, she deserved to be stoned.
Actually, they were seeking to accuse Him thinking they had him
trapped regardless of how He answered.
Instead of immediately answering, He wrote something on the
ground and then turned the tables on them saying, “He who is without sin
among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
We are told that the accusers left him from the oldest to the
youngest. Jesus was left
with the adulterous woman.
Seeing no accusers, Jesus forgave her and told her to go and sin no
more.
ii.
Observations about this
account:
1.
We are again reminded of
the patience and compassion of Jesus.
He didn’t want to condemn her.
He loved her soul. He
genuinely cared about others (including this “sinner”).
Before we determine who is worthy to teach or how to respond to
someone, maybe we ought to consider this account.
2.
Jesus didn’t fall for
their trap. He was fully
aware of what was going on.
The lesson for us: DON’T fall into traps – be wise as serpents and
harmless as doves (Matt. 10:16).
This requires an alertness that we cannot ignore.
3.
Jesus wrote on the
ground. What He wrote is not
recorded and not important.
But He DID pause before He responded.
Whether He needed to pause or not, we DO!
Before you answer, take a moment to weigh your words (Prov.
17:28, Prov. 18:13).
4.
Like Jesus, we ought to
WANT TO forgive others. Look
for and hope for the best in others.
Anticipate that sinners WILL repent!
Jesus did!
a.
He was able to give
individual attention and He did so as He had opportunity.
We need to realize that the greatest percentage of our work will
be one on one.
b.
He was no respecter of
persons. Consider the list
above – it consisted of Jews, Gentiles and Samaritans.
You have the rich and poor.
The despised and the loved.
Leaders and followers.
We must learn to this and not be too hasty to determine who is
unworthy to be taught.
c.
Sometimes, discretion is
needed. Jesus weighed His
words and respected those whom He taught.
d.
He didn’t seek to tell
others about his conversations with certain individuals.
There was a degree of confidentiality Jesus had with His
subjects. I wonder how much
He actually spoke with others that we have no idea what was said or
done? But what we have
recorded respected the dignity of those who came to Him.
What a lesson for us to learn.
e.
The first priority was
about the soul. Let us never
forget that.
And thus we can see some
examples of how Jesus interacted one on one with others.
May we consider these and others and seek to imitate Him as we
have opportunity to share Him with others.