“Seeing and Responding to People like Jesus”

(Praying as Jesus Prayed)7th June 2009

“Seeing and Responding to People like Jesus”

(Praying as Jesus Prayed)7th June 2009

Introduction.

What about you?Do you see and respond to people like Jesus?

Jesus responded to people out of a life of prayer, and unless we do the same it’s near on impossible for us to see and respond to people like he did!

1. Jesus was a man of PRAYER

Jesus was a Jew. (Ps 55:17; Ezr 9:5; Dan 6:10; 9:21; cf Ac 10:9) His heritage was steeped in prayer.

Jesus would often retreat for times of SOLITUDE AND PRAYER

Mk 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Mark 6:45Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

What about you? Do times of solitude and prayer precede or follow your interaction/ministry with people?

Jesus responded to people out of a life of Prayer

2. Jesus chose the 12 disciples out of prayer

Luke 6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

3. Jesus prays for the Children

Matt 19:13 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

  14Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 15When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

4. Jesus prayed for individuals, disciples and all believers

Jesus reveals something of his private intercessory ministry for his inner circle of followers in Lk 22:31-32 when he says to Peter after the Last Supper, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

Peter's leadership and ministry after Pentecost illustrate how powerfully God answered this prayer of Jesus.

5. He prayed for miracles to occur in the lives of people

John 11:38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39"Take away the stone," he said.       "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odour, for he has been there four days."

  40Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

  41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."

  43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.       Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

6. Jesus prayed for those who persecuted him

Luke 23:32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."[e] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Matt 5:43-45“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

OUR RESPONSE

Jesus responded to people out of a life of prayer, and unless we do the same it’s near on impossible for us to see and respond to people like he did!

A simple prayer to include in your morning routine

Jesus, fill me with your Spirit. Help me to see and respond to people like you did

as I go about my day! Amen!