When God Comes into the Room.  Matthew 6

What’s the big deal about Jesus?

It is a question I’ve been asked a number of times.  

My answer, ‘Only everything. Without Jesus, we would be lost.  Period.’

Quite a few new folks have added to our Morning Briefings group, so tis good to comment on where we find ourselves.  We have studied through the first five and a half chapters of Matthew’s gospel; all briefings, including Matthew, are accessible at www.pastorwoman.com. (click on Powerful Bible Teaching, then Morning Briefings, and look at the last postings on the right, and also “Click here to access archived Morning Briefings” for topical studies, as well as those on 17 other New Testament books.)

So we find ourselves in the middle of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, having covered the beautiful Beatitudes and The Disciples’ Prayer and much more.  But to answer the question about Jesus being a big deal, before we continue in Matthew’s sixth chapter, I wanted to talk about Jesus.  Fact is, when you have Jesus, you have everything.  Jesus is God.  This is who Jesus is—in case you just think he lived in Galilee and died about 33 A.D., no!  Everything is centered around Christ … whether we believe it or not. 

The Son is the image of the invisible, the firstborn of all creation; through him all things were created, Paul wrote.  All things were created through him and for him.  In him, all things hold together.  He is the head of the Church, which is a spiritual organism.¹

Remember Zacchaeus?  (Immediately the chorus from my youth plays in my head)  Jesus invited himself to Zacchaeus’ house², and in turn, Zacchaeus invited his friends to come and meet Jesus.  Can you picture them waiting for Jesus’ arrival?  I mean, God is coming for tea! The door opens, and God is going to walk through the door—the image of the invisible God.

First encounter – what would strike you about Jesus?  Scripture does not describe his physical appearance—not what he looked like, what he weighed, the color of his hair or eyes, or how tall he was.  These things, we do not know.  But when Jesus walked into the room, make no mistake, you would notice things about him.

First, you would notice his HUMILITY.  Although God, he was not full of himself.  He would not make everything about him; he would make it about you.  He wouldn’t push his way in and say, ‘hey, hey, Jesus is here—can I tell you where I’ve been lately?’  No, he would be unassuming; he would be humble, very approachable.³

The second thing we would be impacted by is his KINDNESS, and his sweet disposition.  Jesus’ words were kind; he was always looking to build others up, that’s why he drew people to himself.  Jesus was called the friend of sinners because he was kind and approachable, and not looking to judge or condemn.⁴

The third thing that would strike us if Jesus walked into the room: Jesus is overwhelmingly COMPASSIONATE.  Jesus has pity on your situation, even if you did it to yourself!  Even if you’re messed up because you’re messed up—Jesus is overwhelmingly compassionate.  He would look at you and try to understand what you’re going through, how you got there, what you’re secretly feeling, the pain that you cover—Jesus would see through all of that, Jesus would be looking at how he could help you.  He would not hold back if he had a word that would or could correct your course, because that would not be kind!   For instance, doctors tell us the truth, so we can get better, right?

Even though men were plotting to kill him while he was in Zacchaeus’s house, Jesus would look at you like you were the most important person in the room; he would try to see what you’re going through, he might even weep over you or with you!  Oh, if only people today could see Christians who were like Jesus!

Jesus was PATIENT – he never got tired of forgiving, never got tired of hoping for the best, and he never got tired of loving.  When Peter would mess up, time after time, Jesus didn’t kick him out of the Twelve.  Jesus never gets tired of forgiving, hoping and loving.  If you want to know about God, look at Jesus—God is kind, compassionate, and patient.  Jesus is the image of the invisible God, of our Father—kind, compassionate, and patient. 

Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you have a grievance with one another.⁵ Further, we are to be imitators of God … but, how?  How about practicing kindness?  Say something kind to someone; do something to help someone’s situation.  Jesus says even when we offer someone a glass of cold water, we will be rewarded for that.  How about being humble and helpful, instead of judging others?  We do not know what led to what we see today.  After all, there but for the grace of God, we go, right?! 

Christine 

1 – Colossians 1.15-20

2 – Luke 19.1-10

3 – Most of this briefing is drawn from a May 3rd Brooklyn Tabernacle webcast, in which my favorite teacher, Jim Cymbala, teaches “When God Walked into the Room” – www.brooklyntabernacle.org.  I highly encourage the downloading of the free app for your phone.

4 – John 3.17

5 – Colossians 3.12-13