Do you long to see more of the Spirit of Jesus at work on the mission field?
Imagine what outreach, evangelism, and discipleship would look like if the Spirit of the Lord was upon your endeavors to proclaim good news to the poor, bring liberty to captives, heal the brokenhearted, restore sight to the blind, and set the oppressed free (Luke 4:18).
It fills us with joy to think about loving and serving others through the life and power of Christ.
How was Jesus able to cast out a demon without saying a prayer?
How could he calm a raging storm?
How about feeding over 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fishes? And last but certainly not least, how could he love and bless everyone — even his enemies?
You’re probably thinking… That’s an easy answer. Jesus was the Son of God. He shows us what the Father is like in love, character, and power.
It is true that, as the Son of God, Jesus perfectly and powerfully reveals the divine nature of the Father to us (John 1:18; Colossians 2:9-10). But that alone does not explain his miraculous works and fruitful life.
It might surprise you to learn that obedience was not inevitable for Jesus because of his divine nature (Hebrews 5:8). He took on human likeness and was tempted just like the rest of humanity (Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 4:15).
So where did Jesus get his peace and power? What was his secret to a flourishing life in God? It’s easy to get so focused on the works of Jesus that we forget the way of Jesus.
Jesus did not perform miracles on demand. He did not love and care for others from emptiness or lack. He drew from a secret source of never-ending grace.
Jesus continually abided in perfect oneness with the Father (John 10:30). Everything he said and did flowed from a personal, loving, and intimate Father-Son relationship (Matthew 11:27 MSG).
Because Jesus’ life was rooted in the Father’s delight, he didn’t act according to his own strength or wisdom, but naturally and lovingly submitted to God in all things and joined in the work his Father was already doing (John 5:19; 6:38; 12:50).
Let’s look at some examples of the way Jesus approached life and ministry relationally with God…
Before Jesus delivered the boy from a tormenting demon, he had just returned from a hike up a mountain where he set aside distractions to seek the loving voice of the Father. This lifestyle of prayer and fasting helped him rely on God to bring freedom to others (Mark 9:2, 7, 14-29).
Before he walked on water, he spent the whole night in a prayer vigil. He talked with the Father — sharing his heart and listening to him, loving on him and being loved by him (Matthew 14:22-25).
Before he calmed the storm, he was resting peacefully in the Father’s arms (Matthew 8:23-27).
Before he multiplied the loaves and fishes, he already learned that true vitality doesn’t come from bread, but from the Father. Therefore, it was not hard to lean on God to provide what was needed (Matthew 4:4).
Before his teaching to “love your enemies” was put into practice at the cross, Jesus became secure in his identity as a beloved son of the Father so that he could remain unguarded and bless those mistreating him from a place of wholeness (Matthew 5:44-45; Luke 23:34).
Jesus’ intimacy with the Father was the secret to his wisdom, compassion, and power. And this personal, loving relationship wasn’t automatic — rather, it was cultivated as he grew in God’s grace throughout his life (Luke 2:52).
What might it look like for you to become more like Jesus on the mission field? Can you learn to be calm in the storms of ministry? Show great compassion to hurting people? Heal the sick and bring freedom to the oppressed? Teach with God’s wisdom and authority? Offer blessings to people who mistreat you?
All of that is the overflow of “abide in me.” It’s intimacy with God that empowers us to love others well and bear much fruit in partnership with Jesus (John 15:5).
Living like Jesus comes from living with him and the Father in every moment of life, relationships, and ministry.
If the vision of abiding with Jesus is stirring your heart, Soul Shepherding can help!
The Prayer Guide Bundle includes 150+ meditations to help you cultivate a more intimate and experiential relationship with Jesus through the Word. It includes longer meditations, like
imagining yourself in Gospel stories, for your devotional time. There are also shorter ones, like breath prayers, to help you stay connected to Jesus throughout the day.
The most immersive way to learn how to cultivate a more intimate approach to living and ministering with Jesus is at a 5-day Soul Shepherding retreat. Each retreat includes extended times of solitude and silence to be with Jesus, group meditation and prayer exercises, and training to help you experience emotional and spiritual renewal.
Lord Jesus, you make our life and ministry so much better. You draw us into your intimacy with Father God. Thank you for your peace and power today.
