Jesus Was Available...Are You?

MATT. 9:9-13

One key to being used of God is being available to Him. Still many Christians conveniently excuse themselves from serving our Lord faithfully.  Availability for Christian ministry and service is not a matter of convenience; it is focused commitment to follow, be completely open to, the Lord Jesus out of love—it is genuinely engrained in our character.

Character has been defined in a number of ways. One description says, “Character is who you are when nobody's watching!” That is…when you are being most real and authentic. It could be good or bad character and the element of authenticity could be either positive or negative. We often use adjective to describe a person’s character. We’ll say he is ‘dependable’; she is always ‘punctual’; or they are easily ‘excitable.’ In such statements we are noting a pervasive quality, aspect, attribute, or habit of behavior. 

Christian Character refers to those Christ-like traits impressed or engraved into our hearts by the Spirit and the Word, and these issue into good motives, attitudes, actions, and habits. Christian Character is developed in us when we obey the Word, the Spirit, and when we intentionally form godly habits.  It is doing right because it is right and not just because it is convenient! Positive character development requires disciplined decision making, and negative character changes usually follow the path of least resistance, but this does not exclude intentionality. 

The great Apostle Paul reminds us a holy character is rooted in our new nature/new birth in Colossians 3:10 saying, “And have put on the new man, which is renewed [invigorated, refreshed, perfected] in knowledge after the image of him that created him”. This is absolutely essential to Christ-like character development.

The ‘New Man’ is the person we become as a result of conversion: we possess a new nature; therefore, we can acquire wholesome values, perceive spiritual aspirations, and embrace a new God-honoring life-style.  This ‘New Man’ is constantly being renewed or restored to freshness to reflect the image of Jesus. We are developing to attain a mature knowledge of the God who recreated us. The more a Believer knows and understands God, the more opportunities we have to be influenced by that insight. To the degree we adhere to such grand knowledge, we will become like Jesus in character and conduct.  Simply stated there are certain qualities, traits, and characteristics that are prominent in the Lord Jesus that God wants to stamp onto our innermost being.  He wants to impress these same traits and qualities on our lives also. We must make ourselves available to that kind of life transforming and progressive experience. The question is not how my life compares with other Christians, but how my life compares with Jesus Christ!

Years ago when we would mail out our prayer and update letters, often a few of them would come back with a post office stamp on the envelop indicating that there had been an address change. “Return to Sender,”   “Change of Address,” or “Forwarding Time Expired,” and often these little messages were placed on the letter by a stamp. As a result the letter bears the words, message, and images of the original stamp. This is what it means for God to develop Christ-like Character in us.  We begin to bear the image of Jesus Christ—that is we act, live, interact, and respond, just like Jesus would in our given situation. His qualities are stamped on our minds, emotions, and decisions. We are deeply impressed with Him. Matthew chapter nine presents us with a single opportunity to see what that looks like in real life.

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.10, And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.11, And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12, But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13, But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Matt 9:9-13, KJV)

It was Dr. MacDonald who gives us some understanding of the situation in Mathew chapter nine saying,

Matthew was a Tax collector or a custom house officer, he and his fellow officials were hated intensely by the Jews because of their crookedness, because of the oppressive taxes they exacted, and most of all because they served the interests of the Roman Empire, Israel’s overlord.  As Jesus passed the tax office, He said to Matthew, “Follow Me.”  The response was instantaneous; he arose and followed; leaving a traditionally dishonest job to become an instant disciple of Jesus.As someone has said, “He lost a comfortable job, but he found a destiny.  He lost a good income but he found honor.  He lost a comfortable security, but he found an adventure the like of which he had never dreamed.”  Not the least among his rewards were that he became one of the twelve and was honored to write the Gospel which bears his name.

Today we are focusing on the character quality of ‘availability’! To be available means present or ready for immediate use. It includes being usable, accessible, and obtainable. Possessing this trait also involves a qualification or willingness to do something or to assume a responsibility. Any honest discussion of character necessarily requires agreement between the motives and the deeds.

For example, I love Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.  I could easily eat several of them for lunch dessert…that is if I allowed myself to indulge. I must admit, that I do experience great pleasure while eating these little chocolate and peanut butter treats.  It uses to be my specific design to have them close by and readily available for my consumption. You see, I did not want to search for them wondering where they are! Ideally they were to be immediately at my disposal. Beloved, this is availability! It would be wonderful if we could become so available to God! That is, He does not have to search for us, or labor to get us into the mood to serve Him.  It would be great if we did not require so much preparation! Beloved, think about it…we could live so intimately with Him, well within His reach and prepared to be used by Him for anything His heart desires. We should aspire to become available to execute God’s purposes, plans, and pleasures (Eph. 1:9; Phil. 2:13). That is what our Lord modeled and what Matthew illustrates for us in Matthew chapter nine. 

JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE OF AVAILABILITY

Consider thoughtfully what Matthew records in Matthew 9:9, saying, “And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.” Jesus invited, actually commanded, Matthew to “Follow Me” and this meant that He Himself would serve as Matthew’s model for true Christian character formation!  (Also read Matt 4:19). Knowing who the Lord Jesus is this is an incredible opportunity for Matthew and he had the wisdom to accept it. Jesus made Himself available to Matthew and the rest of the Twelve. What hope these words hold for you and me because our risen exalted glorified Lord extends the same invitation to you and me? Do we have the perception that so marked Matthew? Will we make ourselves available to Him as He has availed Himself to us?

Matthew was handed the chance of his lifetime and he was available to the Lord Jesus who makes Himself available to us all! Perhaps it would be beneficial to broaden our theme slightly to appreciate in a fuller way our Lord’s availability to us.  

JESUS WAS AVAILABLE FOR REDEMPTION

That is correct our Lord Jesus was available when Father God called on him to live as a man, die for our sins, and be raised again as Lord and Savior (Phil.2:5-11). Beloved, Jesus was open to this chance and eagerly executed it to God’s satisfaction and our salvation. We had zero hope without the Lord Jesus’ humiliation, services, and sacrifices. Even though this was not convenient for our Lord he still followed through because desired to serve the plan of God. Looking closer, we see that redemption….

Redemption Required Total Humiliation.  (But Jesus Still Did It for Us)

The Apostle Paul recounts the fascinating humiliation our Lord endured to serve our interests saying,

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. [9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: [10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.(Philippians 2:5-11, KJV)

To serve God’s plan required our Lord’s sacrifice of some of the privileges and prerogatives of God to become a human. As a human he freely sacrificed many of the privileges and prerogatives of humanity to serve as the slave of God and humanity. As a human slave Christ died for our sins even though he was entirely and consummately innocent. His death was that of Calvary’s Cross: a form of execution reserved for the vilest offenders! His death was for my sins and yours! Though Jesus remained God for His entire earthly humiliation he served His Father and us with extreme abandonment to God’s plan. How in the world could we seriously consider opting out when Jesus has a task, ministry, assignment, or mission for us?

Beloved, we are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ the Righteous! We have been purchased back to God and are free from sin’s guilt, power, dominion, and eternal consequences! My Friend, Jesus was ready, usable and on the job when our needs were most dire. And who objects to being His servant?

Redemption Required Total Abandonment.   (But Jesus Still Satisfied the Father’s Will)

The Book of Hebrews recounts the astounding attitude of our Lord Jesus presenting Himself as the chief executor of God’s redemptive plan in Hebrews 10:6-14,

In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. [7] Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. [8] Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; [9] Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. [10] By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. [11] And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: [12] But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; [13] From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. [14] For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 

The Lord of Glory abandoned Himself to this mission! Thank God that Jesus was available for our redemption.  Praise the Lord He was willing to go all the way to Calvary in my stead.  We are saved today because the Lord Jesus was available to do the will of God—die for the world of sinners! Not matter what was required of Him Jesus gave himself without any reservations or considerations for himself. As a result, the hopeless, destitute, wretch, harlot, pimp, gangster, extortionist, embezzler, abortionist, religionist, molester, thief, liar, moralist, and average regular Joe or Jane have hope in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.        

Thank God that Jesus was not too busy to be bothered with dying for our sins—the chef need of sinners. Thank God Jesus did not offer a cheap excuse as to why He should be excused from serving God as Redeemer. Praise the Most High God the Lord Jesus did not object to the Cross because it was inconvenient or required too much. Hallelujah for Jesus our Redeemer Extraordinaire!

JESUS WAS AVAILABLE FOR RELIEF

In the service of the Lord we will have opportunities to make extraordinary sacrifices to execute God’s plan. We will also have daily on-going chances to be available to God and the needs of others. No honest person will argue against the conclusion that humanity is a broken race. We certainly do have incredible technological and scientific advancements to be sure, but we are spiritually and morally broken as a race. Sin manifests itself in a multiplicity of painful ways. Any serious consideration of serving God must take the hurting masses into account.

Once more Jesu provides and excellent example of what it looks like to be available to the hurting to provide meaningful relief and solace.

During His Vacation. Jesus was available when planning a vacation after a heavy and extended evangelistic campaign.  Instead of resting He feed the hungry multitude. Such selflessness also reveals his wiliness to serve when he could really use a well-deserved break (Mark 6:30-45). Instead of complaining Jesus placed needy people before himself habitually. He was genuinely selfless. 

During His Devotions. Jesus was available even when he stole away to pray.  His disciples informed him that all men sought for him.  He stopped praying to minister to the needs of those around him (Mk 1: 35-38). Again we witness no complaints, no restrictions—total availability to minister to others. I am not suggesting that we should minimize needed vacations or spiritual devotions. I am saying Jesus made a point of going out of His way to serve the needy and hurting.  

Perhaps these thoughts from Max Lucado, On the Anvil will further clarify,

When a potter bakes a pot, he checks its solidity by pulling it out of the oven and thumping it. If it “sings,” it's ready. If it “thuds,” it's placed back in the oven. The character of a person is also checked by thumping.Been thumped lately?Late-night phone calls. Grouchy teacher. Grumpy moms. Burnt meals. Flat tires. “You've got to be kidding” deadlines. Those are thumps. Thumps are those irritating inconveniences that trigger the worst in us. They catch us off guard. Flat footed. They aren't big enough to be crises, but if you get enough of them, watch out! Traffic jams. Long lines. Empty mailboxes. Dirty clothes on the floor … Thump. Thump. Thump. How do I respond? Do I sing? Or do I thud? Jesus taught that out of the nature of the heart a man speaks (Luke 6:45). There's nothing like a good thump to reveal the nature of a heart. The true character of a person is seen not in momentary heroics, but in the thump-packed humdrum of day-to-day living.

Yes, the Lord Jesus was available to serve during vacations and devotions; now let us consider one more….      

During Our Desperation. Jesus was available to the Canaanite women who appealed to him to heal her daughter who was demon possessed (Matt. 15: 21-28). After a brief period of questioning and reasoning with this Gentile woman, Jesus granted her the desire of her heart. Her faith was real and so was the miracle her daughter experienced. In doing so the Lord Jesus was available to her desperate cry for help and intervention. Jesus, as he commonly did, evidenced compassion, mercy, grace, and enormous power over demons, sickness and disease!

If you are anything like me, you also cherish deeply the reality that you can turn to Jesus at any time and from anywhere with deeply felt needs. You also treasure the fact that your cries to Him will fall upon compassionate ears and a loving heart. Jesus was there for you on countless occasions…through deaths, jail sentences, joblessness, rejections, failed marriage, bankruptcy, homelessness, depression, bodily pain, disease, injury, hunger, accidents, and on the painful list goes into our futures. The reason we can face the future with any measure of hope is the fact that HE WILL BE THERE! Yes, Jesus will be available to us when we are most anxious and the pain is unbearable.

God is asking us as His servant to be available also to the desperate. I realize we all recoil with concerns for self-preservation…I know we live in a dangerous world. It is true that desperate people can be dangerous. Yes, we are also wise to take some precautions. We also must still trust the Lord to lead us into real situations of desperation to help those we find there. Can you be that listening ear? Will you use your power and authority to benefit another? Are you really available? I understand all too well the strong inclination to recoil at this. It is not something I am proud of…. Jesus still made a difference in the life of some deeply hurting folks. Are we available?

The Lord Jesus made himself available to Matthew when He said “Follow Me.” Likewise, He invites us along to learn of Him and from Him. He was available and ready for Father God’s usage concerning redemption and relief. He gave Himself entirely without any reservations to God’s plans for Him. He remains available to us today to help us become like Him in character. So that our motives and deeds reveal that we too are ready for God to use us to touch the world. There are the multitudes of unredeemed and hurting peoples all over the world. I believe we can make a difference. Volunteer. Get involved. Sign up. Ask if you could help. Become creative. Follow the Lord Jesus. Matthew was never the same after answering the Lord’s invitation positively. Nor will you and me if we follow his and our Lord’s example of availability.