Throughout the earthly ministry of Jesus, He encountered a variety of people with a variety of reactions to His message and His miraculous works.

• Herod was perplexed so he sought to see who He really was (Lk. 9:7-9).
• The multitude at Gadarenes was fearful at his casting out of the demons that they asked Him to leave (Lk. 8:37).
• The people who witnessed the raising of the Widow of Nain’s son were also fearful, but they glorified God (Lk.7:11-16).
• When Jesus healed on the Sabbath, the Pharisees were “filled with rage”, so they plotted what they might do to Him (Lk. 6: 6-11).
• At Capernaum many Jews were amazed at His authority, so they went out and spread news about Him (Lk. 4:31-37).
• The disciples, upon catching a boat-load of fish were so astonished that they dropped everything and followed Him (Lk. 5:1-11).

While we aren’t blessed to walk physically with our Savior, His words and actions are plainly recorded for us today as instructions for life, often with the added benefit of the ideal response. The question is how will we react?

• When asked to help in a way that requires added effort and sacrifice on my part, I may be filled with hesitation, but will I ultimately go the extra mile (Matt. 5:41-42)?
• When an opportunity arises to serve in the community, but I won’t receive any recognition, will I let my light shine anyway (Matt 5:16, 6:3-4)?
• When a scheduling problem arises between a secular activity and regular worship time, I may feel conflicted. Will I choose the one that indicates what I’m truly seeking (Matt. 6:33)?
• When a source of income for our family is lost, it’s certainly cause for concern. Will I wring my hands with worry or prayerfully trust in God’s provision (Matt. 6:24-35)?
• When an opportunity arises to bless someone who has wronged my family, a feeling of disdain might crop up, but will I choose to love my enemy (Matt. 5:43-48)?

All of these reactions, both ancient and current, have one common theme – humility. The Pharisees lacked it, but we, like the disciples of old, cultivate it each time we make the conscious choice to put self aside and choose the course of action that most brings glory to the Father. Our feelings about a given situation are often not the problem. It’s the action that follows that reveals what is truly in our hearts. Perhaps you’ve never faced any of these circumstances in your own life. Spend some time meditating on how you might react to each one. Not only will you be better able to minister to those going through them, you will be better prepared for the action to take when those feelings arise. One thing is certain: reach for humility – it works in every situation!

 

By Kathryn Baker

Kathryn is married to Andy Baker who preaches for the Maud church of Christ in Maud, TX. She stays at home with their 3 children. In her spare time, she enjoys food (both cooking and eating!), gardening, and taking their Boston terrier for walks.