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Jesus ministry was a movement of multiplication. He lived a perfect life of obedience to the Father s will. He invested His life to few disciples whom He intended to disciple others also. He longed that every one of us will be someday be in His Kingdom people from every nation, every tribe, and every tongue.
Jesus mission was world evangelization yet he focused on few people. He chose to do so in order that these few would learn from Him and in return, they could lead others to believe in Him. It wasn t His agenda to only impress the people, but more than that, He wanted to usher them to His glorious Kingdom and that was through His disciples. Jesus strategy has been summed up to five different phases, as follows: Phase 1- The Preparation Period, Phase 2- Ministry Foundations, Phase 3- Ministry Training, Phase 4- Multiplied Outreach, and Phase 5- Movement Expansion. These phases however did not stop on a certain time but continues on up to the last phase.
What surprised me about this overview of Christ s ministry was the length of the time of His preparation. I wonder why it took Him 30 years before He began to build up His ministry foundation. He could have started on an early age, but He did not. Another thing that surprised me was the very short time He does His ministry. Why did He die few years after He started the ministry? Why did He not stay for longer time doing ministry and go to other places, like the Philippines (if Philippines already exist those times) or other countries? What surprised me also was the fact that He started performing miracles when He was already 30 years old. He could have healed many sick people when He was younger. Why does He need to wait to be 30 years old, when He could have done so many helpful things years back. Another thing that I just learned now was the fact that the disciples whom He chose to be with Him were actually, supposedly should not be in good terms with one another, as they are enemies, maybe not culturally but socially and economically, should I say so.
What was not surprising was the way people reacted to Him and His teachings. Just like in our times now, some people could easily receive the Gospel and accept Christ in their life, but most are hard to deal with. Unless they see miracles happen, they won t believe in whatever Christians would share to them. He experienced being neglected, so as Christians nowadays. I was no longer surprised to know that He spent so much time with His disciples than the rest of the crowd, since it was His plan to teach the few so that they could lead others to Him.
In our present time, having too many growth level activities for believers could possibly lead them to stagnate rather than grow. Some Christians want to be involved in a ministry but sometimes, if not most of the time, the church requires a lot of seminars or workshops before one could participate on a certain ministry. Later on, the passion fades off. The tendency would be to just withdraw from the desired ministry and remain contented on the usual Sunday routine.
On the other hand, having too many outreach level activities could lead one to be burnt out from doing ministries. He preoccupies himself too much with activities but is no longer happy with it because he might just be doing it for accomplishment s sake and not for the purpose of glorifying God. He soon would be tired of doing such and wishes to retire and a lot of these are happening in different churches here in the Philippines and maybe in other countries too.
What I learned most from this study of Jesus life and ministry was His strategy. Indeed, a sufficient, enough time for preparation is very important. Going in the battlefield unprepared is disastrous, and for sure deadly. I liked the way He nurtured the few whom He sent out to reach out the multitude. This strategy is what I missed when I was still teaching and leading a cell group in Cebu. If only I had the power to turn the time back, I would so that I could do what I was not able to do most for the ministry way back then. I really was so dismayed to know how much time I ve wasted by not having an effective strategy in doing ministry. What a shame!
Just like what Jesus did to His disciples, I want to train young ladies how to disciple others also meaning, they too someday would have their own discipleship group. Admitting all my failures before, I want to make sure that this time I won t be able to commit the same mistakes. Just like what Jesus did, I will walk my talk . I want these ladies to see me as a role model, not just in reaching out the unbelievers but most of all, in loving God with all our being. When we love God more than anything or anyone else, everything will fall in place so smoothly that we don t need to struggle or worry about anything. I know that s one reason why I failed before I failed to love God more than anyone else. I even came to a point where I seem to be like Jonah who tried to run away from God. Yet just like what God did to Jonah, He patiently and carefully guided me back to His loving hands, though the process for us is sometimes painful really painful, that we will surely realize that life apart from God is worthless and meaningless.
I've been through it and I can t anymore afford to give the enemy another chance to lead me astray. With God s leading and guidance, I will always submit my life to Him fully and wholeheartedly.
To God be the glory, both now and forevermore.
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He or she practises daily, many times and each time better and better. The amount of time spent on the rehearsals and whatnots are so much compared to the actual performance.