Learning the Jesus Way of LifeSample

Putting the World Back Together (Part 2)

Pray: Jesus, give me the faith to go where you go, do what you do, trust what you say, and love how you love. Today, I commit to following you. Amen.

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. Matthew 9:35 NIV

Jesus came to announce the good news about God’s kingdom. His ministry was marked by healing—because when God’s space (heaven) collides with our space (Earth), broken things get put back together. Bodies are healed. Purposes are restored. And order takes the place of chaos.

That is what Jesus came to do: fix what was broken. But He didn’t intend to do it alone. God has been in the business of partnering with people to accomplish His mission of redemption from the very beginning. And Jesus did not break that pattern. He didn’t fly solo. He invited people, often the ones we’d least expect, to join Him in the work of putting the world back together.

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Matthew 10:1–4 NIV

A hot head, a tax collector, a rebel, and a sell out. These are the kind of people that made up Jesus’ team. These are the kind of people He invites to join Him. So if you have ever wondered if you have what it takes to be part of Jesus’ way of life, remember that saying yes is all it takes. We don’t get picked for His team by crushing the try-out or making the cut. He’s the team captain, and He’s already handpicked us for a role that only we can fill. The journey begins with His grace and mercy. And it’s a journey toward wholeness—wholeness for ourselves and wholeness for the world. As He transforms us, we become vessels of grace wherever we go.

No longer are we carriers of the disease of sin, passing on this damaging infection to others; He makes us into carriers of the Gospel, who pass on healing and hope to everyone around us.

Thankfully, we don’t have to figure this out alone. Jesus’ invitation comes with instructions.

As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Matthew 10:7–8 NIV

It’s pretty straightforward when you think about it. Essentially, Jesus is telling us to repeat everything that we’ve heard Him saying. Everything that we have seen Jesus doing, we are to imitate. We’ve watched how He does it, and now it’s our turn to go and do likewise.

But how often do we make it so much more complicated than that? Instead of simply copying Jesus, we overthink every situation. We buy into the lie that we don’t know enough to be used by Him, or maybe we rationalize our fear of rejection by telling ourselves that the people around us won’t be interested.

But what if it’s not about knowing enough? What if it’s simply about relaying the words Jesus has already said and sharing about the things He’s already done—even just in your own life or your family? Because the truth is, if Jesus has changed your story, then your story has the power to change others. No matter what the specifics are, it begins with knowing Him and learning from Him. Because we can’t pass on what we haven’t received, and we can’t give what we haven’t been given.

Jesus shares other instructions with these disciples, instructions about where to go, how to handle rejection, how to rely on the Holy Spirit in high-pressure situations, and what to do when even the people closest to them don’t get it. He never promises them that following Him will be easy; in fact, He guarantees the opposite.

In this world, when we take up the Jesus way of life and step into our purpose of partnering with God in His redemptive plans for the world, we are being like Jesus. But, spoiler alert, people didn’t always respond favorably to Jesus. Some admired Him and some listened to Him, but others mocked Him and ignored Him. Some hated Him so much they wanted Him dead. When we follow Jesus’ example and imitate His words, we shouldn’t be surprised when people respond unfavorably to us too. Jesus knows this and gives this encouragement:

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:28–31 NIV

What is Jesus saying? He’s reminding us that even if it came to the point of our very lives being threatened for following Jesus, we wouldn’t have to be afraid because our future is secure. There’s nothing that anyone can do to take away the gift of eternal life that we have been given. No other person, no force of nature, not even the devil himself—nothing can separate us from the loving care of our heavenly Father.

So what are we going to do? Will we run and hide in fear, ignoring Jesus’ invitation? Or will we boldly embrace the opportunity to be part of building the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven?

Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:38–39 NIV

When our lives are all about us, we miss out on the kind of life that is really worth living. Living guarded and cowering in fear—fear of the pain and the mess that might come—will result in us missing out on the meaning and purpose that Jesus wants for us. But when we let go of control and comfort for the sake of following Jesus, we find the purpose for which we were created. And under the caring eyes of the Father, we will see the beginnings of the world being put back together—inside our own hearts and all around us.

Application: Where is fear holding you back? In what areas of your life do you need to know Jesus more so you can say what He said and do what He did? In what areas do you need to rely more on the Spirit’s guidance? In what ways do you need to fully trust the Father’s care? Journal through these questions and then take a step toward a fully surrendered life—today.