Joel Mathai

Grace Bible Church

“Following the Example of Jesus”

Matthew 9:35-38

If we are to fulfill the great commission, we must learn to follow the example of our Lord Jesus. Having seen the need, Jesus got involved. Each of us, as a follower of Jesus Christ, has an obligation to be involved. We need to have his eyes, his compassion for the lost and follow his lead to pray for more laborers. And do something practical in the area of missions!

Jesus went

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and high priest of our confession.

—Hebrews 3:1

Jesus was going about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

—Matthew 9:35-38

To Follow the example of Jesus we need to have his kind of eyes.

The eyes of Jesus saw the infinitely greater need in their lives.

Unless we see people as desperately lost and in dire need of salvation, there is No motivation for evangelism.

Let me look on the crowd as my savior did

Till my eyes with tears grow dim

Let me view with pity the wandering sheep

And love them for the love of Him

To Follow the example of Jesus we need to have compassion.

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, I feel compassion for the multitude because hey have remained with me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not wish to send them away hungry lest they faint.

—Matt. 15:32

In Jesus case the moved heart always followed the seeing eye

There is no reason in man that God should save. The need to save is born of his own compassion. No man can have any claim upon God.

—G. Campbell Morgan

To Follow the example of Jesus we need to pray.

No man or woman can claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ and not be a man of prayer. You may be a believer but not a follower. Jesus Christ is the “pattern man” for every believer and if we would in any serious manner seek to emulate him, his constant and consistent practice of prayer must be observed.

—Peter Dyneka

How then shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed?

And how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written,

And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written,

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!”

—Romans 10:14-15

Lord what would you have me to do?

Practical ways to get involved here and now:

1. Pray and GO!

2. Adopt a missionary

3. Become a conversation partner

4. Go on a short term trip