JESUS, THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A MESSENGER
By Lay Pastor Jusuf Wibisono Lemah Putro, Sunday, August 9, 2020
Shalom,
When we are sent, we must imitate the perfect character of Jesus Christ so that we will be used as messengers marked with victories. What advice does the Bible give regarding messengers? John 12:37-50 write, “But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
It’s clear that Jesus came to earth as the Messenger of God to deliver His commandments which are alive and eternal. We should believe in His Word that we have listened (Romans 10:17), keep it in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus is the Savior who died and rose so that those who believe in Him will not perish but saved and have eternal life. (John 3:16).
The Word of God this time gives warnings and advice to those (spiritual) leaders, the priests and kings who are sent to proclaim the great deeds of Him who have called them out of darkness into His miraculous light (1 Peter 2:9). Regrettably, there are leaders who believe in Jesus but refuse to acknowledge Him in public for fear of being isolated (John 12:42). Notice, the Word of God that we believe directs us to eternal life and provides promises of protection and provision as well as blessings from Heaven.
What example has Jesus set for us?
- We think and feel like those found in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2: 5). Our old thoughts and feelings of fear must be transformed.
- Humble and obedient until He died on the cross (v. 8).
What is the result if we imitate Jesus? We receive the gift of the Name above all names so that in the Name of Jesus all enemies will bow and our mouths confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (vv. 9-11).
The books of the Old Testament confirm that when His Name is in us, He will bless us (Numbers 6:27). What kind of blessings? Not physical blessings but blessings from the highest place namely protection, care, grace, and peace (vv. 22-26). These kinds of blessings become assets for the spiritual leaders and priests who serve on the front lines to be victorious by bearing His Name.
What is the advice for those sent by God? As messengers, they proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. They heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. Since they have obtained this gift free of charge, they must give it freely too. Written in the Bible, they were prohibited from carrying gold, silver or copper in their belts and were not allowed to carry provisions on the journey (Matthew 10: 7-10).
Application: We should not be overwhelmed by worries and fears about the future of our wife and children when we are called by God to be His servants. Remember, the Kingdom of Heaven is not a matter of food and drink (stomach) but a matter of truth, peace and joy by the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). We have been filled with the Holy Spirit who has the power to eliminate fear and provide order and discipline in serving Him.
A messenger may not carry gold, silver and copper in his belt (= ready to serve). In other words, don't serve with the hope that we will get in return the things of the world that mankind has been looking for lately. We must admit the COVID-19 pandemic attack has paralyzed all activities (health, economy, society, etc.). What is our mainstay? The Word of God gives an example of a man (showing a strong and mighty person) who was lame from birth placed near the gate of the Temple to ask for alms. Seeing that Peter and John were about to enter the temple, the lame man asked for alms. Peter asked him to look into their faces. The paralyzed man looked at them hoping to get something from them. But Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." (Acts 3: 1-10) Evidently Paul and John, who were equipped with the fullness of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-11), had the power of the name of Jesus Christ to heal paralysis. It is very natural for this incident to make the people who witnessed it amazed and astonished, but this wonder should not be directed at men (Peter and John) but should be focused on Jesus, the miracle worker. Peter and John claimed that they were witnesses of Jesus who was killed and raised by God from the dead and His Name (not gold, silver, copper) has the power to heal the lame man (Acts 3: 11-16).
We should be happy if the Name of Jesus is integrated in our lives, especially spiritual leaders because the Holy Spirit guarantees us the blessings that come from the highest place. The important thing is that we are diligent in seeking the city of Jerusalem (Luke 24:49) thus, our hearts remain at peace in facing any problems so that sin does not overpower us. Apart from living in peace with all people, we must pursue holiness because without holiness no one will see God (Hebrews 12:14). If we are at peace with God and others, we can become reliable messengers and the Holy Spirit will give us the strength / power to face challenges (cf. John 20: 19-22), especially if the Name of Jesus is embedded in us.
In the Old Testament era, judges were chosen by God to save His victorious people, the nation of Israel, from the hands of the enemy. One of the judges He chose was Gideon (Judges 6: 14-15). Gideon was afraid of being sent because he was young and from the smallest class, but God still chose him. He accepted God's voice despite his fear and humbled himself like a dog that drinks water. The result is he ended in victory.
What to do after winning against the enemy?
- Do not rejoice because the enemy has been defeated but rejoice because our names are registered in Heaven (Luke 10: 17-20). Honestly, excessive joy due to victories and success (rich, intelligent, high position etc.) often causes men to become arrogant. Therefore, we must remain introspective and always remember that we are given the power to step on snakes and scorpions and the power to withstand the enemy's strength, but we must return all the glory to Him.
- Stay humble as a child because he is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 18: 4). Servants of God who are controlled by the Holy Spirit do not like receiving praise and are not afraid of man’s reproach; instead, they are trying to please God (Galatians 1:10).
- Do not defile his clothes so that he does not die (Revelation 3: 1-5). High priest Joshua was accused by the devil because his clothes were dirty (Zechariah 3: 1-3).
Jesus is the perfect example as a Messenger of the Father and He wants us to continue His mission by becoming His messengers in preaching the Kingdom of Heaven. For that He provides us with the power of the Holy Spirit and His Word. When we are victorious, we should return all honor and glory to Him because only Him who has the right to receive it (Romans 11:36). Amen.
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