Mission: Possible

As followers of Jesus, we desire to bring glory to God in all we do by loving those around us and by sharing the Good News of His Life and Sacrifice on our behalf. Great Commandment and Great Commission stuff. Our busy lives call to us with an abundance of opportunities and activities to choose. How do we decide what to do and say, and how does godly humility fit into all of this?

How can the same humble Jesus who chose when to end his life be the same one who directly challenged one of his abusers? (See John 18:22-24) How can the gentle Jesus who was approachable in the eyes of children be the same God made Man who turned over the tables of the moneychangers in the temple? Our beloved Savior often spoke in parables, but He began his public ministry sounding more like John the Baptist, bluntly proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 4). Contradictions in His character seemingly abound. Yet, it is in examining the fullness of his actions and words that we discover what it means to be truly humble.

The answer lies in what Jesus says often throughout the book of John. He only did what he saw the Father doing; only spoke the words the Father gave Him. The fullness of humility is in doing the same in obedience to the One we love “because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). Just how do we discover what the Father is saying to us? How do we discern what is from God for us to say and do and what is not?

That answer is also revealed in the life model of our Lord. Jesus made it a habit to get away from the people and the busyness of ministry to be alone and pray. Imagine if your mission was to turn the world upside down in three short years? Jesus had to rely on the leading of the Father and be one in Him to accomplish His life’s work. Be it under great ministry success or personal sorrow, this was Priority Number One- and out of that intimate relationship, Jesus ministered in full humility and obedience regardless of the task at hand.

May it be the same with us as we continue to walk out the individual mission God Himself has given each of us!