Responding to Jesus Part 2 "Responding to His Heart"

I recently watched a discussion between Pastor Timothy Keller and Professor Jonathan Haidt (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFD5odFv36k) concerning the source of human morality. They were coming to the discussion from opposite view points, but their respect for each other was evident and the way that they responded to each other was an example to us all. Each one had the goal of searching for truth and their responses were toward that goal. It is somewhat easy to respond to the actions of others, but quite another thing to respond to their heart. I am not one that believes that our actions and heart are two different things, but that our actions and words reveal our heart. To respond to one’s heart I have to closely consider their actions and the possible reasons for them. I must also seek understanding through careful discussion without jumping to a self-centered response. I want to grow in my responding to the heart of Jesus. 

We all are responding to Jesus everyday by how we live our lives and treat others. It takes patient reflection upon Jesus’ words and actions to enable ourselves to rightly respond to Him. Without this careful reflection, we will most-likely turn away from Him. He often works in ways that are very trying and difficult to understand. We don’t always respond in worship and obedience, but in rejection and rebellion. If we are going to be honest with ourselves, we have a tough time following Jesus when He does not act according to our presuppositions.    

The main focus of this post is to discuss how we can rightly respond to the work of Jesus by know the heart of Jesus.  The text under consideration is Matthew chapter 9. As Jesus ministered to those in need there were reactions and responses. The religious leaders reacted to Jesus’ ministry by telling Him that He was wrong because He was exercising authority that only God possessed and disregarding their traditions. The crowds and those who received help from Jesus responded on the basis of their needs being meet. There is much that can be observed in this text, but for this post we will focus on just a small part.  

The heart of Jesus is revealed as he addresses both those who reject and accept His work. As you read the text please take note that the miracle, though important to Jesus and the individual that received, was not the main point. For us the main point is what each miracle taught about the nature of Jesus and His ministry to which we are to be a part of. In each one, His heart is revealed in five ways.  His heart is to exercise His authority to forgive sin (V. 1-8). His heart is like a physician coming to make the sick well through mercy, not sacrifice (V. 9-13) His heart of ministry does not fit into cold mechanical traditions (V.14-17). His heart responds to those who turn to Him as a last resort (V. 18-31). His heart is to use His authority to remove the demonic power (V.32-34).  

With these truths about the heart of Jesus may we respond to Him rightly. We need to admit that His work is difficult to understand at times but may we learn to respond to His heart by join Jesus in ministering to others from a heart of compassion (V. 35-36). May we do so as laborers for the harvest (V. 37-38).