Be People Focused
Open your Bible to John chapter 1. You will want to follow along. In Jesus, God involved Himself totally
in our human predicament. His life involves a wide range of human experiences. He had the usual kind of
relationships with His parents, relatives and neighbors. He lived in a Jewish community, learned a trade,
observed religious feasts, and grew into an adult. In the course of his ministry, Jesus involved himself
with people. He interacted with crowds as well as individuals, in conversation, healing and teaching. The
historical context: Jesus was a Jewish man living a in a world that was that was influenced by the Law of
Moses as well as the laws and politics of the Roman Empire.
Through the Gospel of John we see that Jesus developed personal relationships throughout his life. He interacted with people in the synagogue, Temple, in villages, in households, on boats and in many other social settings. Central to his ministry, was His involvement in the lives and circumstances of those he met. I often remind myself that He was 100% God and 100% man. He was genuine in his concern for people. The son of God befriended people and treated them courteously, while exercising His teaching authority. He met people at the point of practical needs and did not turn them away. You see, Jesus understood people.
Jesus' closest relationships were with his Disciples. We see at the start of ministry that he invited them to "Come follow me". You know that had to start with just a simple look. He connected with people. He was approachable. Notice His connective approach that led his disciples to respond to His invitation of "come follow me". Use your eyes to follow along in this word journey. John Chapter 1:
35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"
37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"
39 "Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.
40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).
43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me."
Reading on we notice that Jesus was perceptive. Look at verse 46 where he told Nathaneal, "Before Philip called you, I saw you". He was perceptive. He was aware of his surroundings and he was aware of people.
Moving to chapter 2, Jesus did not embarrass people. In fact, in acts of kindness He saved the bridegroom from social embarrassment when he solved the problem of running out of wine at the wedding. See he involved himself with people. Notice this is in a social setting.
His actions caused total change. Look at verse 2:11. His disciples believed in him. That is total change. They set aside their current thinking and received this new wine from heaven.
What can we learn? Involve yourself with people. Be perceptive. Read between the lines. Be kind to others. Be approachable. Cross cultures. Champion the underdog. Above all be genuine in this approach. All of this Jesus displayed to the woman at the well in chapter 4. Notice this situation was one on one setting. It was a conversation.
Finally chapter 5, another social setting, the setting is a Feast of the Jews. Jesus heals a paralytic man on the Sabbath. See his compassion his empathy toward people. Oh to be like Him.
Now guide your eyes to chapter 5 verse 24. Jesus already knows that the Jews are rejecting Him as the Messiah and are seeking to kill Him you can read this for yourself in verses 14 - 18. He knows that time is now of the essence. Let's read verse 24, Jesus is accelerating his message of I'm here to help you. He left these words, his Gospel, to echo from this book to us until the end of time. Verse 24:
24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
See again his compassion, his empathy toward people. He is inviting you to have everlasting life.
Contributors: David Claydon; Indiucky