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IF JESUS LIVED TODAY
HOW WOULD HE HANDLE RELATIONSHIPS?

A disgusted CEO once said, "Leaders have to decide what needs to
be done; tell somebody to do it; and listen to reasons why it
can't be done. Then he has to follow up and discover why it has
not been done; listen to excuses from the person who should have
done it; then follow up again, and discover it has been done
incorrectly; and point out how it should have been done. "Then
the leader has to wonder if it's time to fire a person who can't
do anything right; only to realize that any successor would be
just as bad or worse. Finally the leader considers how much
better the thing would have been done, if he had done it himself
in the first place; and reflect sadly that he could have done it
right in twenty minutes and now has to spend two days finding
out why it has taken three weeks for somebody else to do it
wrong."

Yes, depending on other people can be frustrating. Even so,
Jesus knew he needed help to carry out his mission and he
carefully selected a group of associates. The Scriptures say,
"Jesus . . . saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his
brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they
were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make
you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed
him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James . .
. and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father
Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and
immediately they left the boat and their father and followed
him" (Matt. 4:18-22).

Later he added others, "He saw a man named Matthew sitting at
the tax collector's booth. 'Follow me, he told him, and Matthew
got up and followed him" (Matt. 9:9).

Jesus was organizing a group that corresponded symbolically to
the 12 tribes of Israel. The Scriptures say, "He called his
disciples to him and chose twelve of them . . . " (Twelve
represented completion). "Simon (whom he named Peter), his
brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot,
Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor."
(Luke 6:12-16).

These are the men who responded; but many didn't respond. One
of the saddest rejections came from the rich young ruler. The
Scriptures say, "A man ran up to him and fell on his knees
before him. 'Good teacher,' he asked, 'what must I do to inherit
eternal life?' 'Why do you call me good?' Jesus answered. 'No
one is good-- except God alone. You know the commandments: `Do
not murder, do not commit adultery do not steal, do not give
false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'
'Teacher,' he declared, 'all these I have kept since I was a
boy. Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack,'
he said. 'Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and
you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' At
this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great
wealth" (Mark 10:17-22).

Jesus saw this talented young seeker's potential. He had a
special personal affinity for him, but he let him go. He didn't
try to persuade him with promises of reward. He didn't try to
manipulate him with guilt or fear. He didn't threaten him with
dire punishments. He just let him go. This shows that our
lifestyle is our free choice. Jesus never pressured anyone! In
fact, he even discouraged some over-zealous, would be followers
because he felt they were responding superficially without
realizing the seriousness of their commitment. The Scripture
says, "Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, 'Teacher,
I will follow you wherever you go.' Jesus replied, 'Foxes have
holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no
place to lay his head' " (Matt. 8:19-20).

The Gadarene demoniac, whom Jesus healed, begged to follow; but
was given a different assignment. "Jesus . . . said, 'Go home
to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you
. . ." (Mark 5:19).

Others who were invited made excuses. The Scriptures say,
"Another disciple said to him, 'Lord, first let me go and bury
my father.' But Jesus told him, 'Follow me, and let the dead
bury their own dead.' " (Matt. 8:21-22).

But, eventually, out of the crowds of people, Jesus selected 12
men to be his close associates.

Why do you suppose Jesus chose these specific individuals? What
lessons can we learn from his example? What point does he make
about relationships?

I. FIRST, JESUS CHOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE WILLING TO LEARN AND
SERVE.

He was beginning a new venture. He was advocating drastic
changes, and change is always resisted. The educated
theologians and priests and religious leaders were already
conditioned to the old ways. They were set in their outlooks
and practices. They had a vested interest in the status quo.
They were the ones who rejected his message. John said, "He
came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him"
(John 1:11).

Those who think they already know aren't teachable.

II. NEXT, HE CHOSE PEOPLE WITH VARIOUS ABILITIES AND INTERESTS.

Some of his group were leaders; some were followers. They were
different in temperament and age and aptitude. They came from
different geographical areas and different economic brackets.
Five were fishermen and businessmen. At least one belonged to a
radical political faction; and one was an educated government
appointee. Even their belief systems were radically different.
Jesus never demanded uniformity. Instead, he demanded
authenticity and receptivity. The Scriptures indicate that "as
many as received him . . ." were accepted. (See John 1:12).

III. FINALLY, HE CHOSE PEOPLE WITH POTENTIAL.

These men were not especially religious, but Jesus saw valuable
personal traits that could be developed. Peter was a crude
fisherman, but Jesus saw qualities of strength and initiative
and said, " 'You are Simon . . . You will be called Cephas'
(which, when translated, is Peter)" (John 1:42).
This meant rock. And Peter did become a strong leader.

James and John were so high tempered and impulsive that Jesus
gave them a humorous nickname. The Scripture says, "He gave
(James and John) the name Boanerges, which means Sons of
Thunder" (Mark 3:17).

They were arrogant and vengeful. Once when some villagers were
rude they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come
down from heaven and consume them?" (Luke 9:54).

It's important to note that this same hotheaded John later came
to be known as the "Apostle of love." These two were also
incredibly ambitious. They even let their mother use her
influence to get them top positions. The Scripture says she
asked Jesus to let one of them to sit at his right and the other
at his left in his glory (See Mark 10:35-37).

This incident caused jealousy and conflict among the other
disciples. Such dissension was common. The members of this
group often argued among themselves.

Matthew, a deceitful tax collector became a superb writer of the
gospels. When Jesus chose this man, he was a social outcast;
but he had the skills needed to record Jesus' life and
teachings. All in all it was a group of individuals with
questionable qualifications. Still these flawed men became
Jesus' trusted friends, and eventually spread the gospel to the
world.

Now, what if this were today? Would Jesus hire some secretaries
and webmasters and associate ministers, or would he persuade a
group of faithful volunteers to work for free? Would Jesus
recruit people from various denominations or would he seek those
who have been successful in secular positions? Would the group
include a wide range of ages, races and nationalities? Would he
include women?

We don't know for sure which individuals Jesus would pick
because the world is very different now. Even though Jesus
would need people with contemporary skills if he lived here in
America today instead of in Palestine 2000 years ago, he would
still choose those who are dedicated and talented.

1. FIRST, HE WOULD STILL WANT PEOPLE WHO ARE OPEN TO NEW IDEAS.

Jesus' ideology was absolutely opposite to the traditional
doctrines and worship practices of his day. This is one of the
most unrecognized characteristics of his movement. He
literally overturned the beliefs and customs of the orthodox
religious institutions. He expressed it this way. "No one
pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will
burst the skins . . . No, he pours new wine into new wineskins"
(Mark 2:22).

So, if he wanted to make radical changes in our beliefs and
customs, he would need people who are not set in their ways and
adamant about specific doctrines. He could not work with
fanatics.

2. NEXT, JESUS WOULD STILL NEED PEOPLE WITH VARIOUS ABILITIES.

Today, he would have to consider media expertise and computer
literacy. Our communication methods are not like those of first
century Palestine. We are an electronic and technological
society. Teachers and writers and communicators would have to
use modern techniques. Formal education would be much more
important. Also, to reach a wider world, he would need men and
women who speak different languages and understand different
cultures.

3. FINALLY, JESUS WOULD STILL SEE POTENTIAL IN SOME VERY
UNLIKELY PEOPLE.

His choices would probably surprise us, and even irritate us.
It's significant that he didn't use a single person from the
religious establishment in his ministry. Instead, he called
ordinary people with weaknesses and faults. It's important to
note that all of his disciples were normal individuals with
personal problems. None were particularly pious. James and John
were hot-headed and ambitious. Thomas was a practical doubter.
Matthew was a cunning politician. Nathanael was a sarcastic
cynic. When Phillip told him about Jesus, he said, "Nazareth!
Can anything good come from there?" (John 1:46).

Peter was a foul-mouthed liar. But these men were willing to
leave the past behind. They were willing to listen and grow.
That's essential! Peter expressed this view point when he said,
"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life"
(John 6:68).

Jesus' associates today would include those from the secular and
business and scientific fields. It's significant that all of
his original 12 had worked at "real" worldly jobs before their
call. Orthodoxy was not important. Concern and dedication were!

Now, if we're to take the gospel seriously, what does this mean
for us? Remember, the Scripture says, "Whoever claims to live
in him must walk as Jesus did" (I John 2:6).

If Jesus lived today, he would accept people as they are, and
try to bring out their strengths. A good leader inspires people
to believe in him. A great leader inspires people to believe in
themselves. Jesus did both.

Eleven of those 12 disciples faithfully discharged their
responsibilities; but, today there's no one left to carry on his
mission except you and me.

Christ has no hands but our hands
to do his work today!
He has no feet but our feet
to lead men in his way,
He has no tongue but our tongue
to tell men how he died,
He has no help but our help
to bring them to his side.
-Annie Johnson Flint

Are you tolerant of diverse religious views and lifestyles?
Jesus was!

Do you see the great potential in ordinary sinful human beings?
Jesus did!

Do you use your abilities and help those around you to develop
and increase their abilities? Jesus did!

Walter Lippman said, "The final test of a leader is that he
leaves behind him others with the ability and willingness to
carry on." That was certainly true in Jesus' case.

Is this your day to answer his call and begin working together
with others to bring in the kingdom?

These messages are from an unpublished manuscript © copyrighted
by Miles and Maralene Wesner, Idabel, OK. Please use them in
any way you think appropriate. The only thing we ask is that
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