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Making Reaching Out a Little Easier

 


I was reading through one of my daily devotionals and, like always, there are those that strike me in a stronger way. This particular day highlighted Luke 15:2, which makes one profound statement: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

There’s nothing complicated about what Jesus is doing! I believe it is our approach to ministry that complicates the steps we take to introduce Jesus to others. Jesus had no boundaries. He was willing to engage Samaritans as much as the Jews and Gentiles.

There are times we get so focused on “getting them saved” or “getting them to Church” that we forget the most important “first step” of establishing a relationship. Befriending and showing the love of God by being a neighbor and friend.

This devotion went on to say, “God rejects sin but not sinners. He seeks them out to free them from the misery. All love should work thus: not condemning but helping even if it is only with a silent prayer. Do I pray for the conversion of souls?”

My concept of this approach is what I call the “Zacchaeus Principle” (Luke 19:1-10). Jesus didn’t pester Zacchaeus with going to the Temple or challenging him with whether or not he prayed, obeyed the commandments, or observed the Jewish festivals.

How did salvation come to the house of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:9)? Not through a fantastic teaching in the Temple or because he gave an amazing monetary gift to support Jesus’ ministry. 

It all started when Jesus engaged Zacchaeus personally and invited him to dinner. Jesus invested personal and focused time to meet Zacchaeus right where he was in life. The first thing Jesus did was to get Zacchaeus to come down out of the tree.

I think it is time to stop stressing over creating award-winning services, outings, retreats, and concerts as a way of convincing people to either come or return to Church. We probably even need to stop trying to convince them to come “through the back door” by bringing them to weekday ministries such as men’s or women’s groups or Bible studies. Then how? What are we supposed to do?

First, let us stop complicating what is so simple. Jesus and Zacchaeus give us some ideas. Jesus had to engage Zacchaeus in such a way that it was his own decision to come down out of the tree.

How does that look for us? Well, if God places someone on your heart, make time to find them and engage! Start simple. Invite them over for dinner or take them out to their favorite restaurant. Take them to lunch. The point is to make the time to befriend them in the atmosphere of fellowship.

Another way that works is if you are out in public and someone catches your attention because they look sad, frustrated, or aren’t smiling. It is a time for you to take the risk and engage them. Ask “I noticed you looked stressed. What would put a smile back on your face today?” Or, perhaps “What is one thing that would make your day turn around for the better?”

You would be surprised what their answers will be in response. You might hear things such as “a friend to talk to” or “my car broke down and I just need to get to my Mom to her medical appointment.” I am sure it would be a tailor-made “God arranged this just for you” moment in time.

Jesus shows us that ministry starts by just engaging and seeing if Zacchaeus would be willing to come down out of the tree. Who can we befriend and engage with the love of Jesus? 

Lord, place those people in our hearts and help us to cross paths so that we may engage them with Your unconditional love. Amen!

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