How to Start His Ministry
Part I
The other day I felt led to turn to Matthew. As I read, I got more and more excited. Gradually, I began to realize that Matthew contains the pattern for true ministry!
First, some revelation that came to me. The Spirit of God began ministering to Jesus from his birth. This explains how he was able to astonish the Scribes and Teachers of the Law (!) in the Temple at age 12 with his understanding (Luke 2:46-47). However, he did not receive the empowerment for ministry until he was baptized at age 30, which, together with the tradition of Rabbis beginning ministry at that age, explains why his ministry did not begin until that time.
During those 18 years, he grew up with Godly parents who taught him the Word, learned to live with and love others, worked alongside his father and generally participated in life (to the fullest, no doubt!). In other words, he learned how to live and live well, as must we all.
Before he could begin his ministry, two other events needed to occur. First, he needed to be affirmed by his true Father, whose pride in him (before he had done anything, ministry-wise!) was proclaimed publicly.
Secondly, he had to be tested (in the wilderness). As preparation, he spent time (as led by the Spirit) in fasting and prayer (as he did at the end of his life as well, but that's another story.) After successfully completing the test, he returned “in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 3:14) and began his minsitry.
His message was the same as John's: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”, showing both respect for and continuity with John's work (His spirit was one of cooperation, not ambition/competition.)
After showing what he believed his very next act was to call disciples! Amazing, he has no following, no income, no building, no books, no recognized training, in fact, he has yet to do anything ministry-wise other than repeat what someone else has already said yet people followed him! The disciples were giving up their lives to follow him, as Peter later pointed out (Matt 19:27). They were entrusting him with their lives.
How can we explain such trust, on the basis of so short a track record of ministry? Certainly, the depth of his character and the Spirit which accompanied him is part of the explanation. How else could the simple phrase “follow me” cause men to leave their families (at least for a time) and livelihoods and go with a man whom they didn't even know “where he stayed” at first (John 1:37).
Somehow, perhaps they sensed that in choosing them he was in fact entrusting them with something more precious than even their own lives, the message of Salvation for humanity (Matt 13:44-46)! Trust begets trust (we love because he first loved us. Love always trusts.)
