Watch Jesus

In the past seventeen years, the Holy Spirit has taught me through one baseline phrase—two words. No matter what I do, read, study, or hear, this concept and direction surfaces to guide me.

Watch Jesus.

Years ago (and often still), I struggled to make sense of personal life circumstances, the cultural environment, and the church’s reaction to situations. I just couldn’t seem to make sense of it all. Often, I felt bereft and confused. Then prompted by the Holy Spirit, I reread the Gospels multiple times. The only exhortation I was given was to Watch Jesus. Not others and their reactions. Not to see who I was in a parable (though that is helpful at times), not to see who I shouldn’t behave or react like. No. Watch Jesus.

Jesus is the image of the invisible God. In him, all the fullness of God is pleased to dwell. He is the substance, not the shadow. He emptied himself and became a servant to humankind. He was humble with no pretension. It is his mind we are to have. (Colossians 1:15, 19; 2:17; Philippians 2:5-7).

Watching Jesus changed my life. Watching Him transformed my reactions into responses. Watching Jesus completely altered the way I see and hear people. Watching others causes you to attempt to change your behavior and actions. When you watch Jesus, your attitude and heart condition are revealed. Jesus calls you to change inwardly first, and the outward behavior will be the fruit of that change. You cannot honestly watch him and remain unmoved.

I continue to reread the Gospel accounts; I finish them and start again. Just to watch Jesus. And I am changed again with every reading.

I challenge you to reread the Gospels (or read them for the first time in their entirety) and Watch Jesus. Ask God to remove preconceived ideas, perceptions, interpretations, analysis, and denominational slants. Ask Him to help you begin with a clean slate, a fresh notebook, or a blank screen. Notice that Jesus does not REACT to situations or people. He RESPONDS. We are called to do the same.

These posts will be a Gospel passage with the same questions each time. I have linked to the ESV translation, but you might benefit from reading a different translation.

Tuesday—Read Luke 7:11-17 ESV (Watch Jesus)

What are the circumstances we are privy to in this passage?

What is Jesus’ response?

What happens as a result of His response?

What does His response (His mind) teach us?