How Jesus connected with people is truly amazing. It is well known that the most unlikely people loved him; while, the religious sorts despised him. Why was this? How was he able to set a very high bar regarding ethical and moral conduct; yet, those whose morals and ethics were suspect were often very comfortable in his presence?
Jesus was the model ambassador for God’s kingdom. He wants to teach us how to fish for people as he did.
The message God has given us is a gracious invitation to be restored to a right relationship to him.
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NLT)
Although there is a proper time and way to point out people’s sin bluntly and fearlessly, the kingdom message is essentially conciliatory.
Those whose hearts are open will understand and respond. Those whose hearts are closed will resist.
Ambassadors are known for their wisdom and tact. They often face hostile officials and must counter their aggression and resistance with words that can defuse a explosive situation and move people to accepting his government’s proposals. This is very similar to how we should engage people with the gospel one on one.
By nature, people tend to resist truth. Denial is part of the human condition. People without God live in darkness, resist truth, and need assistance in coming to the light.
The Holy Spirit works inside people while we engage them externally. Our words and behavior can either help or hinder the process. We do not want to distract people away from what the Spirit is doing inside them by acting unwisely. For some people this comes naturally, but to others it takes a lot of effort and commitment. The gospel is difficult enough to accept without our making it harder.
A great example of what I am talking about is actually the process in reverse, but you will get the idea. The Canaanite woman who asked Jesus to heal her daughter was initially rebuffed by the Lord.
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. Matthew 15:24-28 (ESV) This woman was an outsider, a Canaanite, with no inherent right to God’s kingdom. She approached the Lord in humility and desperation, but he turned her away. Right here is where the tact of an ambassador was needed. Instead of going off in a huff, she overcame her pride and pressed the issue. Getting help for her daughter superseded everything else. She humbly countered what Jesus said with words of wisdom. Jesus saw her heart and faith and compassionately responded.
When people resist our message, we need to listen to the Spirit for the right words that can overcome their hostility. People need to know that we are not arrogant or self-righteous, as are many who name the name of Christ. Instead we want them to see that we are truly concerned about their well-being. Words of wisdom can open hearts and defuse negativity. I have watched this happen many times, but only if we are not easily offended or taken aback. Love presses on.
Missional churches commit to training their members how to fish for people the Jesus way, using wisdom, grace, and tact, and relying on the Holy Spirit to lead the way.
