Jesus is the perfect example of how to operate in ministry, I’m sure you will all agree with that.
Not that we have to copy exactly the things He did, for instance you have to be pretty sure it is the right thing to do before you spit in someone’s eyes during a healing service!
But we can use Him as an example in the mode of ministry, that is to be compassionate and loving yet assertive in confronting issues and problems.
Jesus did not operate what I call a “there, there” ministry.
In some instances when we would be inclined to put our arms around someone and say “there, there, it will be OK, don’t worry, it will be fine” He did not.
To some people Jesus may have seemed to lack sympathy, but I think He knew best, and some times when people are looking for sympathy they need good solid advice and council instead.
Take for example this instance with John.
John was in prison and must have been in quite a state, sending His disciples to Jesus to check out His credentials.
I think this shows that John was starting to doubt.
Did Jesus say, “go back and tell John he is brilliant, he is great, and not to worry”?
No, he told the disciples of John to point him back to the Word, and to see if the Word says who Jesus is (Matthew 11 v 4 and 5).
Now, once the disciples left he told everyone else about how great John was (Matthew 11 v 11).
Don’t you think John might have liked to hear that?
Well, maybe he would have, but Jesus pointed him to the Word of God instead of encouraging Him about himself or showing him sympathy.
The solutions to our problems is not to receive “there, there” ministry; the solution to our problems is through understating the Word of God, understanding about Jesus and His finished work.
Speak this out today…..”Thank you Lord for your inspired Word, and thank you that knowledge of Jesus and His finished work is the key to life and godliness”.
Matthew 11 v 4 to 6…..Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me
Heilan Word Ministries 