The Witnessing Method’s of Jesus Christ
Introduction
Jesus said, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt 4:19). Any conversation surrounding methods of witnessing must center on the precepts Jesus introduces to His disciples in this personal invitation, “come and follow Me” and in the promise, “I will make you fishers of men.” To witness for Christ one must submit to the leading and teaching of Christ on the subject. To follow Christ means to put away selfish ambitions and/or personal agendas and give Him our complete and undivided attention. To witness to or disciple others one must first be discipled (I will make you). In each case one must decide for Christ and submit to His teaching in order to effectively witness to men.
This paper will focus on the methods Jesus used while witnessing to others. In particular we will examine and compare the different ways Jesus presented the gift of eternal life to every dynamic of mankind during His time of ministry. As we study three of the Master’s individual witnesses of many we will discover stumbling blocks like riches, Law, racial bias, jealousy, error, and a host of other deceptions employed by Satan against men that Jesus confronted (Matt. 12:29) and without compromise, rendered in order to provide His lost sheep with a clear understanding of how to receive eternal life.
It is my prayer that after careful discernment of the facts presented in this paper that the reader will see how powerful and successful Jesus was in witnessing to others. The success I testify to will not be affirmed by worldly standards but by spiritual kingdom standards only!
Nicodemus (Jewish Pharisee)
(John 3:1-17)
Nicodemus, our first case study, was a Jewish Pharisee who served the Sanhedrin as an instructor (rabbi) of Leviticul Law and the Law of Moses (John 3:1) As a Pharisee, Nicodemus believed in a resurrection (Acts 23:8), but had no concept of how it worked or how to teach it. Knowing Jesus was a gifted teacher with blessed insight, Nicodemus made a decision to visit Him and discuss this issue rabbi to rabbi. Jesus was a marked man at the time; Sadducees and a majority of Pharisees of the Sanhedrin were plotting His death. Nicodemus therefore approached Christ in the cover of darkness with the hope his visit would go undetected (John 3:2).
As witnesses for Christ we must be vigilant and expectant that people will approach us when we least expect it. God does send people our way and rather than seeing this moment as an interruption, we must embrace it as an opportunity to bring the truth of Christ to their life.[1]
Rather than getting into a debate about whom He was (God), Jesus confronted Nicodemus with the truth about what he came to find out, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Nicodemus responds with a question that confirms he only understands this comment from a natural perspective and not a spiritual one, “Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”(vs. 4) Jesus confirms this point further with His comment, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit” (vs.6). He continues by telling Nicodemus not to marvel that He says ‘You must be born again.’ Nicodemus however continues to respond with a natural mans misunderstanding (1 Cor. 2:14), “How can these things be?” (vs.9) Jesus then responds by telling Nicodemus the only way he is going to understand the concept of “new birth” is to surrender man’s perspective (Law) and call out for spiritual insight (grace) which was right before him, the only begotten Son of God who would soon be lifted up (Num. 21:9), ‘that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life’ (vs. 11-17).
Reflection
Although Nicodemus came to see Jesus, it was Jesus who truly met Nicodemus. Christ knew Nicodemus did not grasp who He truly was, but rather than addressing this issue first, Jesus met Nicodemus in his inquiry, (eternal life). Christ shows us here the importance of engaging a person with what they are struggling with, joining with them in their dilemma before sharing advice or giving any spiritual enlightenment. How can we assist someone with truth before we even know what their position or belief is on matters pertaining to God? Meeting a person with an invested interest in their position is the first step to effective witnessing. It is a prerequisite actually, “Love the Lord with all of your heart…” (Luke 10:27) and, “love your neighbor...” (Mark 12:31), that Jesus issues. Jesus is showing us His true love for Nicodemus even though he doesn’t acknowledge Jesus as God.
After listening to Nicodemus present his suppositions on which He was perceived to be, Jesus confronts Nicodemus with spiritual truth concerning the kingdom of God
Witnessing without Scripture to confirm spiritual truth is simply bad practice. Even if a person does not grasp immediately what they hear or see in the Scriptures does not mean they won’t at a later time. In this example, we do not see Nicodemus receiving a revelation from Christ in this witness. But later we find Nicodemus attending the sacrificial body of Christ (John 19:39); a spectacular conformation that the seeds planted from Numbers 21:9 in the heart of Nicodemus the night he visited Christ rooted down deep and saved his life!
The Rich Young Ruler
Mark 10:17-27
As Jesus set out on a journey a young rich ruler ran up to Him to inquire of the good teacher what he needed to do to inherit eternal life (Mark 10:17). Jesus immediately confronted him on his perspective on the definition of good using the Ten Commandments to make his point that no one except God was good enough to keep them without fault. Countering, the young man stated he had obeyed these commands since his youth (v. 20). Jesus then flushed out one Command he had forgotten to consider. To help him see his error Christ challenged the young ruler to sell his possessions, give the proceeds to the poor and then come and follow Him (v. 21). The result was the young man walking away saddened; realizing his material possessions were more important to hang on to than receiving eternal life.
Reflection
The first thing we can glean from this encounter is that Jesus put himself in a position to witness to this young ruler simply by moving out to do so. Remember, Jesus states the Words He spoke and the steps He took were guided by His Father (John 12:49-50). As witnesses, we must listen and move out as the Holy Spirit directs and speak as the Holy Spirit gives us utterance. It is from our obedience to the commission that manifests witness opportunities. Evangelism was never intended to be carried on inside a church building. Evangelism must be done out where sinners are.[2]
Next, Scripture confirms one of man’s critical deceptions, his position before God. It is easy for man to compare his goodness to others and actually see himself as good when using this horizontal standard of comparison. Only when the standard is vertical (God/man) do we begin to see our shortcomings and realize we are not good enough to receive eternal life alone. Jesus said we must be perfect (Matt. 5:48). Who can justify themselves in God’s sight if we are commanded to be perfect?[3] The best way to examine ourselves in comparison to God is alongside the Ten Commandments. The young ruler addressed Jesus as, “good teacher” (v. 17). Jesus conveniently used this adjective to walk the young man through the Ten Commandments. Once the man was focused on the Commandments (God) Jesus could confront his stumbling block (idolatry). It was from this point of focus that Jesus was able to help the young man to see his love for material riches was his god rather than the true God he thought he was obeying by adhering to the other Commandments. Jesus was able to further prove His point by challenging the young man to give up his riches. Immediately the man realized two things. One, eternal life was not inherited or earned; and two, under the circumstances presented and based on the options given, he was not going to receive it; he was truly grieved and walked away in this position.
In this witness Jesus shows us how to revert common conversation and casual comments to spiritual truths. We can all as witnesses, learn to move from natural conversation to spiritual matters; and as Jesus illustrates here, the transition can be smooth and inviting.
Another point to be made here is that even though we may not stumble in every Commandment equally, we do fall short of God’s glory! The rich young ruler was so focused on obeying a portion of the Commandments that he was oblivious to others he failed in; particularly, the first one, “no other God’s before Me.” Getting the lost to focus on the Commandments will bring to light the sinful condition that needs attention. Even though it can be a painful discovery, as we witness in the rulers emotional response, it does convict the lost in a way we as witnesses cannot in and of ourselves accomplish.
Why is this important? Christ knew the young man’s fatal position and without human limitations was able to bring him to and understanding of his sinful consequences. Since we are human the only chance we have to witness effectively like Christ did here is to trust in the Commandments to do their job (Gal. 3:24).
Lastly, Jesus instructed the man to come and follow Him. In other words Jesus was telling the rich ruler he needed to put his trust and faith in Him to receive eternal life and not in his own ability to inherit eternal life through the Law. The fact that the young man knew keeping the Law was not all there was to attaining eternal life he wasn’t prepared at the moment to let go of his wealth and submit to Jesus. He was still lost for saving faith involves recognizing that Jesus is the answer to one’s sin problem.[4]
How do we know this witness was successful? Many judge success by an affirmative decision for Christ and would probably suggest this was a failed witness. But the true disciple, one who has been discipled, knows that success is determined by the fact that truth was delivered, not compromised, but planted in the depths of conviction. Perhaps the rich man will not receive Christ, but he did receive the truth and simply because of that his chance to receive eternal life was deposited.
The Woman at the Well
John 4:1-42
Scripture records that Jesus was traveling through Samaria
Jesus was at the well when the Samaritan woman approached it to fulfill her daily task of filling the water pot. As witnesses, we must be aware of where people visit frequently with the kingdom agenda to share Christ. Often these are places we wouldn’t normally attend, but as we will soon discover, this witness was anything but normal. The fact that Jesus, a Jew, was talking to a Gentile woman at a well in Samaria, encroached upon every customary rule and cultural boundary as it applied to relationships at the time (John 4:9).
Jesus engages the woman with small talk, “could I have a drink?” (v.7) She converses back and soon we discover Jesus switching the conversation from well water to “living water” (v.10). Again, Jesus illustrates for us the art of taking natural conversation and transitioning it to spiritual conversations and matters.
Once engaged in matters of the Spirit Jesus confronts the woman’s sinful condition with the commandment of adultery (v.18). Convicted, the woman labels Him a prophet to which Jesus corrects her by announcing He is the Messiah she knows will come one day (vv. 25-26). It is at this point the woman leaves her task and goes home to announce Christ to her people.
Reflection
Led by the Spirit we will be able to step out of our comfort zone and witness for Christ in places the flesh would never go. Samaria
Jesus, as this narration has highlighted previously meets this woman where she was in her daily life. In moments, using Scripture laced in love and knowledge Jesus was able to bring the Samaritan woman to the well of living water. The woman was so convicted that she left her daily task to evangelize for Christ to her whole village!
Comparison Between the Witnesses of Christ
Comparing each of these witnesses gives us a fuller understanding of how and what is required in the kingdom assignment to reach others for Christ.
Nicodemus was a Jewish leader who was well studied in the Law. One who is set in their ways, anchored in a position of tradition, is often one of the hardest of lost sheep to reach. We can all fall into this trap if we are deceived in the notion we know all there is to know about God’s ultimate plan of salvation. Approaching Scripture with reverence and respect soon disappears from the one who thinks they have spiritually arrived and the renewing of the mind (God’s work in us) ceases to manifest in spiritual maturity. Jesus was hard on Nicodemus in this matter pointing out that a teacher of the Law should know these things (John 3:10-12). A teacher of the history of Israel should be able to see the correlation of the bronze serpent, representing death lifted up and Christ representing the sinful Jew lifted up for redemption and life!
The rich Jewish ruler was different is this aspect. Although he grew up in the custom of Jewish Law he was not a professing teacher but rather a devoted Jew and ancestor of Abraham. Jesus’ witness to him was over the Commandments he was so careful to obey while hypocritically ignoring honoring God as the only God! Being rich was not his sin, loving and serving his riches however, was the issue. We all have our little gods flushed out when we are confronted about them and more to the point are painfully convicted when asked to let them go! Being rich in Jesus’ day was looked upon as one being favorable in the sight of God but the young ruler and Jesus’ disciples soon found out this was not the case (Mark 10:23-27). The lesson we must take from this witness is we are not good enough to enter heaven; we can only get there by receiving the good works of Christ. The rich young man thought perhaps he cornered the market on good. We are not saved just because our parents are saved. The young ruler thought he was perhaps protected as an ancestor of Abraham. The witnesses between these two Jewish men were handled as they approached Christ with their hopes of working out eternal life on their merit; an attitude of tell me what to do and I’ll do it. What is equally important to focus on as a witness however, is the fact that they approached Jesus with a life changing concern. As a witness, you want to visit with persons when their anticipation and anxiety levels are at their highest. This is a moment when they are open and ready to advance their lives and their futures.[5]
The last witness discussed is different in that Jesus sought after the woman. In fact, He went through Samaria
In all three witnesses Jesus showed us the importance of joining the lost sheep where they are in their walk of life. He showed us we do not have to condemn a sinner in fact He proved to us the Law itself was the tool to employ to do this work. He was able to witness to these three in a very personal and loving way. He never gave credit to Himself but always gave glory to God and used God’s glory to show each witness their shortcoming.
In each witness Jesus divided the Word of truth without compromise. He let the Word have its effect by staying out of the way with personal suggestions or affectionate misleading. For example, He could have called the ruler back and explained to him a way to love God and his material riches together. He could have found ways to appease each of the people He witnessed to; many do with the temptation to be popular. False teachers do this to be misleading every day. But Jesus let the Word linger and cut like a two-edged sword; knowing the conviction of the Holy Spirit in the Word was the saving grace that would bring the lost sinner to salvation (Romans 1:16).
Conclusion
Each witness in this writers mind was successful. Each person was given the truth, incorruptible seed that produces fruit. Each person was tilled and cultivated with the Law and exposed to the presence of loving grace. We as witnesses can and must learn from these examples. Focusing any successful witness on the merit of always being right alone must be abandoned. The mentality that says, “I don’t think I’m always right, but I do always think I’m right”[6] must be closely examined. We must understand that our opinion is irrelevant; that being right or wrong on any spiritual issue is not a concern when the truth of God’s Word is before us. We must be willing and submit to the Spirit’s call and leading once and forevermore; only then, will we like Christ, be about the assignments the Lord has already prepared for us in advance (Eph. 2:10).
Bibliography
Callahan, Kennon. Visiting in an Age of Mission Jossey Bass Publishers, 1997
Comfort, Ray. The Way of the Master Bridge-Logos, 2006
Copan, Paul. True For You but Not For Me.
Hixson, J.B. Getting the Gospel Wrong. Xulon Press, 2008
Osborn, T.L. Soul Winning. Osborn Publication, 1967
Sanders, Oswald. Spiritual Leadership The Moody Bible Institute, 1994
[1] Sanders, Oswald. Spiritual Leadership. The Moody Bible Institute, 1994, 81
[2] Osborn, T.L. Soul Winning. Osborn Publication, 1967, 55
[3] Comfort, Ray. The Way of the Master Bridge-Logos, 2006, 83
[4] Hixson, J.B. Getting the Gospel Wrong. Xulon Press, 2008, 91
[5] Callahan, Kennon. Visiting in an Age of Mission Jossey Bass Publishers, 1997, 59
[6] Copan, Paul. True For You but Not For Me.
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