In our Gospel from Matthew for this week we hear about the beginnings of Jesus’s ministry. The choosing of his disciples, those who would walk with him and he would walk with. Regular, everyday kind of people, not kings or rulers who may have already had connections to many of the people, but instead they were fishermen, those who had to work hard to make a living. The disciples he chose were people he could teach, who would then pass on what they learn to others. Those who may relate better to those to whom they were to meet.
What does this have to do with us today? I don’t think many of us have been asked by God to leave all our things and loved ones behind to walk with Jesus. One could argue that we have a lot more to leave behind than those disciples did so long ago. We can still make that journey with Jesus without leaving our homes and families. It is a journey into a ‘Jesus Shaped Life’.
Jesus was about 30 when he began his ministry and I always just thought the reason he waited until then was just ‘Gods plan’. As always, a little bit of research can help with any question one might have. So, the reason he waited may have been because of the fact that priests could not begin public ministry until 30 and rabbis were not regarded as mature enough to do so until age 30.
If you look at the first few words from Matthew it says that ‘when Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee……From that time Jesus began to proclaim, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near’. Those same words were used by John the Baptist. So it looks like John the Baptist had to finish his ministry before Jesus began his.
In the first portion of Jesus’s ministry he chooses two brothers (fishermen) who are willing to leave everything they have and leave behind those they love in order to follow him. Not a lot of people would just get up and leave everything behind, but sometimes curiosity and desire to do something different can be a determining factor. And let’s be honest, God has a way to get us to do things we might never have thought we would or could ever do.
What does this have to do with us today? I don’t think many of us have been asked by God to leave all our things and loved ones behind to walk with Jesus. One could argue that we have a lot more to leave behind than those disciples did so long ago.
We can still make that journey with Jesus without leaving our homes and families. It is a journey into a ‘Jesus Shaped Life’. I heard those words recently and I much prefer them over ‘Be like Jesus’. Seems to me that is a monumental task sending me to failure. Jesus is perfect, I am not. This always reminds me of those teachers who say to a student, ‘why can’t you be more like your sister/brother?’ The answer is I am not them, I am different.
So, instead we journey to try to lead a Jesus shaped life. Everyday is a new day. We step out of bed and begin. Focus your mind on smiles and kind tones (may take a bit for some to wake up first), but starting with the right attitude in the morning helps. Sometimes a bit of meditation or a centering prayer may help to start the day off correctly.
Then, keep your eyes wide open. That way we can see what is truly out there in our neighbourhoods. Don’t shy away from the homeless guy on the corner or the person in the aisle ahead of you who fumbles with their wallet to pay what they owe. Have patience. Put aside your thoughts about why you think that person on the corner is homeless, just realize that they are and may need a bit of change or maybe a little to eat or something warm to drink, or maybe just a smile.
It isn’t just about looking out for those in need of our help, it is also seeing what is being done already to help them. It isn’t all gloom and doom. Like I said earlier, keep your eyes wide open. Look also for those who give to that homeless person, or the cashier who waits patiently for the person trying to find the right change and helping when asked. There are a lot of groups in the Niagara Region who are already doing their part to helping others and maybe it is time to join one of these groups. This is all part of leading a Jesus shaped life.
Looking back at the fishermen who left their lives behind to walk with Jesus. Although I said we don’t need to leave all our things behind, we do need to leave some of our old ways behind. If we are doing things that hinder our working toward a Jesus shaped life, then those things need to be changed. For me, sometimes it is just attitude. I have recently been working hard at remembering that a smile not only helps others, but it also can make me feel much better about the things that I need to do at that moment and feel better about myself in general.
When the day is done, just before you fall asleep, think back to your day. Did you do a fair job of trying to lead ‘a Jesus shaped life’? Could you do better? Maybe you need a little help from God, but don’t forget to thank him for your day.