Following Jesus' Example: Serving People in a Mess

Jesus didn't wait for people to show up - He went to them. How can we follow His example in our communities today?

In a world that often defines people by their worst moments, Jesus showed us a radically different way to see and serve others. His approach to ministry wasn't just about helping people - it was about loving them deeply and seeing their true value beyond their circumstances.

How Did Jesus See People Who Were Struggling?

When we study Jesus' life, one thing becomes crystal clear: He consistently served people who were in difficult situations. But here's what made Him different from the religious leaders of His time - He never defined someone by the mess they were in. Instead, He saw people in a mess, not messy people.

This distinction matters more than we might think. It's like seeing a five-year-old with a runny nose. You don't see a "crusty, snotty kid" - you see your child who happens to have a runny nose right now. Jesus never identified someone by their sin; He identified people who happened to be sinners.

Breaking Religious Barriers

Jesus entered a highly religious system where spiritual leaders would tell people why they were separated from God and what they needed to do to get close to Him. Some people were considered so "messy" that they were excluded from even entering places of worship.

But Jesus did the unthinkable:

• He touched lepers when religious law demanded you avoid them completely.
• He healed a Roman centurion's servant when Romans were considered enemies.
• He allowed an "unclean" woman to touch Him, knowing it would make Him ceremonially unclean.

In Jesus' world, when an unclean person touched a clean person, the clean person became unclean. But when Jesus showed up, the opposite happened - the unclean person became clean.

What Does It Mean That Jesus "Went" to People?

Matthew 9:35 tells us that "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness." The phrase "Jesus went" is significant - He didn't wait for people to come to Him. He actively sought out those who needed help.

This is why partnering with organizations like Family Promise makes such an impact. Last year, they helped 18,000 families with homelessness prevention and served over 67,000 families overall, reaching more than 100,000 children. When we support ministries that "go" to people, we're following Jesus' example.

What's the Difference Between Serving and Loving?

Here's a crucial distinction: You can serve somebody without really loving them, but you can't love somebody without serving them. Jesus did both. He didn't just help people - He genuinely loved them.

Jesus earned the title "friend of tax collectors and sinners." Not just someone who helped them, but their friend - possibly the best friend they ever had. This wasn't just about meeting physical needs; it was about genuine relationship and care.

Compassion That Leads to Action

When Jesus saw crowds of people, Matthew 9:36 says "he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." The word "helpless" describes people who were distressed, tired, scattered in their thoughts, and had no direction for their life.

The word "compassion" literally means "bowels" - Jesus felt deeply in His gut for what people were going through. And with Jesus, compassion always led to action. He never just felt sorry for someone and walked away.

How Does Jesus Send Us to Serve Others?

After showing compassion for the crowds, Jesus told His disciples: "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matthew 9:37-38).

Jesus was essentially saying: "You see this crowd, right? You see the compassion I have for them? Very few people actually do anything about it."

This challenges us because it's easy to make church about our preferences - the music we like, the programs we want, the conveniences we expect. But the church isn't a cruise ship designed for our comfort; it's a battleship engaged in reaching the helpless, hurting, and lost.

Why Should We Remember Our Own Story?

Do you remember what life was like before you knew Jesus? The darkness, loneliness, and feeling enslaved to destructive patterns? Do you remember feeling like the worst person in the world, wondering if God could ever love you?

But then do you remember when He called your name? When you realized God was actually talking to you, drawing you to Himself? When you discovered He's a good Father, not an angry God waiting to punish you?

The apostle Paul was one of the greatest servants in the Bible because he never forgot what Christ had done for him. He wrote: "How thankful I am to Christ Jesus our Lord for choosing me as one of his messengers… even though I used to scoff at the name of Christ, I hunted down his people, harming them in every way I could. But God had mercy on me" (1 Timothy 1:12-14).

What Does Jesus Say About Serving Others?

Jesus gives us a powerful picture of judgment day in Matthew 25, where He says: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." When we serve those who are hungry, thirsty, lonely, sick, orphaned, incarcerated, or lost, Jesus takes it personally.

This truth is lived out through ministries like our prison outreach at Jester Prison, where 165 men have been baptized in just over a year. One man, J.W., shared how serving in this ministry helped him realize what was missing from his life - the need to give back after receiving so much from God.

Life Application

This week, challenge yourself to see people the way Jesus sees them. Instead of defining someone by their struggles, mistakes, or circumstances, look for the person God created them to be underneath their current situation.

At The Bridge Church in Sugar Land, Richmond, and Fulshear, we're learning to serve others like Jesus - right where we live.

If you're interested in serving locally, visit our Serve at The Bridge page to find opportunities to get involved.

Consider these questions:

• When you encounter someone who's struggling, do you see a "messy person" or a valuable person who happens to be in a mess?
• How can you actively "go" to serve someone this week rather than waiting for opportunities to come to you?
• What would change in your relationships if you moved from just serving people to genuinely loving them?
• How has remembering your own story of God's grace motivated you to extend that same grace to others?

The goal isn't just to help people - it's to love them the way Jesus loves them, seeing their true worth and potential beyond their current circumstances.

Want to take the next step? Join us this Sunday in Sugar Land or Richmond - or connect with us online. We're here to help you Keep Doing Good.