Jesus's life demonstrated two things that I know my life needs. First, his view of reality included total dependence on the Father to meet his needs and ensure that if something had to be done, it would get done. In Matthew 1:35, Peter is irate, "Jesus, where have you been! There are people that need healing! Hands to shake, Let's GO!" (my paraphrase) But Jesus is unflappable, he repeatedly refuses to fear what people will think of Him and leans into the Father for direction. How? (Here comes the next Sunday School answer, brace yourselves) Time alone with God to listen to Him, this is called prayer. (Read the Gospels and make note of each time it says Jesus prayed, there are about 25 references, see if you can find them) For me, prayer is not my natural default mode. I have had seasons of greater diligence in prayer and it can make all the difference and a lack of prayer can lead to hurt, confusion, guilt and chaos, let's just say it's not pretty. But prayer is Jesus' default and I believe it needs to become mine.
Secondly, relationship is more important than task. Jesus has the world to save but just when everyone is getting on the "Jesus train" he moves on (Matthew 1:38). He takes time to mosey through Samaria and hang out with a woman of questionable repute, he continues to answer his disciple's questions and explain his parables even when they clearly are driving him a bit nuts. Jesus, from the very start, knew that "getting the job done" wasn't enough. "How" we do it is even more important because the "how" determines if we build or destroy relationship in the process.
I can attest to the fact that I am most angry, most short tempered, and most destructive to the relationships in my life when I think I HAVE to get something done. "I will disappoint so and so, I will miss my deadline, I will fail to get (fill in the blank) done." And then I yell, pout, pressure, and whatever else it takes to check that item off my list, while leaving a trail of battered relationships in my wake.
Jesus never modeled a, "Take no prisoners, just get it done!" attitude. Rather he leaned into the Father, loved those around him and did things at the pace they happened regardless of the social pressures to either slow down or speed up. Is this news to anybody? Certainly not to me, but even as I write I am reminded that knowing and doing are not the same things. Let's explore that Idea in the next post.