The Ministry of JESUS CHRIST

The Ministry of Jesus

The foundation of Jesus’ ministry was love. His teachings, miracles, healings, and actions constantly showcased a profound love that transcended cultural, social, and religious boundaries. His ministry was not about abolishing the law, but about fulfilling it by bringing out its true purpose, which was guiding people towards a life of love, mercy, and righteousness.

Love as the Core of His Ministry

Love was the core of his ministry, and he made this clear by reaching out to those who were clearly marginalized in the society. Jesus interacted with the tax collectors, sinners, lepers, the Samaritans, and even those shunned by society. In doing all this, He showed that God’s love in inclusive and unconditional.

A perfect example of this life was in a parable he shared about the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:23–37), where he made emphasis on the fact that love goes beyond ethnic and societal divisions. He taught that loving one’s neighbour means showing them mercy and compassion, even to those whom we consider outsiders.

Jesus also gave a new commandment to His disciples:

“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” (John 13:34)

This love was sacrificial, as was ultimately displayed in his willingness to die on the cross for our sins. (John 15:13)

Fulfilling the Law Through Love

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” (Matthew 5:17)

Jesus made it very clear that he did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfil it. Rather than the rigid adherence to rules, He focused on the heart’s intent behind actions. He often challenged the Pharisees and religious leaders, who prided themselves on outward obedience while neglecting inner righteousness. He criticized their hypocrisy by saying: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” (Matthew 23:27).

Jesus’ actions often times clashed with the extremely legalistic interpretations of the law. His healing of a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath illustrated that human needs come before strict rule-following. He reminded people of God’s desire for mercy over sacrifice:

“But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.” (Matthew 12:7)

Mercy Over Judgement

Another key aspect of Jesus’s ministry was His teaching against judgemental attitudes. He often cautioned against judging others because humans are naturally flawed:

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” (Matthew 7:1–2).

The story of the woman caught in adultery is an example of this (John 8:1–11). When the Pharisees brought the woman to Jesus with the plan of trapping Him, He responded with both wisdom and mercy. He said:

“ So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7).

Through this act, Jesus not only spared the life of the woman, but he also taught her accusers the importance of humility and introspection.

His Teachings on Forgiveness

Forgiveness was central to the ministry of Jesus. He taught his disciples to forgive others unconditionally:

“ For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14).

This is evident in the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21–35), where Jesus pointed out the importance of forgiving others just as God forgives us. He also forgave those that persecuted him at the cross, saying:

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

His Teachings on Humility

Jesus exemplified humility throughout his ministry on earth. He taught that greatness in the kingdom of God is based on servitude which comes with humility:

“But is shall not be so among you: whosoever will be great among your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26–28).

The singular act of washing his disciple’s feet (Johe 13:12–15) is a striking example of servant leadership that Jesus showed, thus teaching that humility is the hallmark of true greatness.

His Teachings on Leadership in the Body of Christ

Jesus redefined leadership by focusing more on service and sacrifice rather than power and authority. He warned against leaders who were all about their personal gains to turn a new leaf. He encouraged a shepherd-like care for the fold:

“The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11).

He also stressed on the importance of unity within the body of Christ, praying for his followers to be one, even as He and the Father are one (John 17:20–23).

His Teachings on Tithes and Offerings

Jesus made it clear that the heart behind giving was more important than the act itself. While he acknowledged the importance of tithing (Matthew 23:23), He also rebuked the Pharisees for neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

Jesus expects Us as his followers to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees in the bible who gave their tithes in obedience to the law, but still lacking in love, holiness, and justice.

In the dispensation of the New Testament, the message is about the mercy and love of God, and that is the very foundation of the New Testament. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great live wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Ephesians 2:4–5).

Inclusiveness

Jesus’s ministry was one that included everyone he came across. He spoke to and interacted with those whom society often pushed aside, such as the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1–26). His conversation with her not only broke cultural norms, but it also led to her transformation and a ripple effect in her community.

Jesus also brought hope to those who were seen as irredeemable. It happened with the tax collector Zacchaeus, and that encounter he had with him brought about salvation (Luke 19:1–10)

Conclusion

The ministry of Jesus stands as a model of love, mercy, and humility. He demonstrated that true righteousness lies in the intent of the heart, not just the outward compliance to rules. He showed that love is the true fulfilment of the law, and He called his followers to emulate this love in their lives. He is also calling you today to heed to that same instruction, which is to love the Lord your God with all your might, love your neighbour as you love yourself, and to love your enemies.

In a world that is filled with so much hate, bias, judgement and even exclusion, the teaching of Jesus the Christ challenges us to show love and mercy. We are to extend a hand of love to even those we might otherwise overlook. His life remains a testament to the transformative power of divine love.