Today we are going to read passages from John 3:1-17; John 4:7-29; and Luke 19:1-10. Read these passages slowly and carefully. What is the bible saying regards to sharing with God with the world? Do these passages teach us anything about following Jesus?
Did you notice anything in these passages about the relationship Jesus cultivated with people who didn’t yet follow Him?
Jesus was so good about sharing with those who didn’t believe in God the Father. What does share mean? It means the full or proper portion or part allotted or belonging to or contributed or owed by an individual or group. It means to use, participate in, enjoy, receive, etc., jointly. He pursued relationships with the people in the world. Jesus sought out people who were in desperate need of His saving grace.
In the passage of John 3:1-17, Jesus takes the time to explain how to get to the Kingdom of God with Nicodemus. In John 4:7-29, Jesus took the time to stop at the well and speak to a Samaritan woman. Back in these days, this was a no-no. Jews did not associate with Samaritan people. She was a sinful lady who was trapped in the seduction of sexual sin. In Luke 19: 1-10, Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Jesus stopped where he was and went to a tax payer’s home, through this Jesus brought salvation to Him. He went to his home and spent time with him and share God’s love. Jesus ate a meal with a hated tax collector. Jesus was constantly looking for ways to engage with those who are far from God to bring them the gospel message of Salvation and to share with them the love of God, so they could have a relationship with God the Father.
The religious leaders did not like this at all. This made them angry. They were just as lost. Did Jesus share with them the truth of the gospel? Yes! He did. Jesus’ life was about building relationships with people who were far from God. IF we are pursuing a faithful life of following Jesus, we will also be pursuing the same kind of relationship with others that don’t know God.
How do you feel about investing in relationships with people that are outside of our faith? Does this scare you? Do you struggle with how to seek out the lost?
Will you gain anything from doing this?
How are you developing relationships with people who don’t know Jesus?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love for each of us. I pray that we will be courageous and bold to seek out the lost in this world. I pray that you will open our eyes to the ones you want us to reach out to.
In Jesus Name
Amen
