Who did Jesus look for?

As he invited men and women to his side and involved them in his kingdom work, they demonstrated a range of characteristics that begin to give us a picture of what it means to be missional.

 

Those whom Jesus called to himself and who followed were men and women who were:

 

• Willing to take risks. They demonstrated obedience in unlikely circumstances, e.g., at the feeding of 5000, they handed out the bread even when they doubted the plan and could not foresee the outcome. Missional Christians are willing to step out. They study the commands of

Jesus, take on his priorities and look for opportunities in their context to obey.

 

• Persistent. They followed Jesus consistently in a variety of circumstances. In John 6:66ff Jesus said, “Will you leave me too?” Peter answered, “No one else has the words of life.” The disciples were persistent, even though their understanding of what Jesus intended was limited and often simply wrong. Missional Christians don’t drift away even in the confusing times when they don’t fully understand what it is they are supposed to be doing.

 

• Teachable. Over and over again as the disciples experienced life with Jesus, they learned about his priorities and his purposes. By the end of their lives, they were matured and were deeply engaged with all his kingdom priorities. Missional Christians are willing to apply what they

are learning, not just hearing information, and they are changed as a result. They demonstrate an eagerness to grow and develop. They want to know more. They ask questions and pursue answers. 

 

• Willing to make sacrifices for the sake of something greater than themselves. In Luke 5 they left their nets; in Luke 8:3 the women who followed provided for the needs of Jesus and those with him from their own resources; in Matthew 26 and Mark 14 the woman anointed Jesus with expensive perfume all for the sake of serving him and his Jesus with expensive perfume all for the sake of serving him and his kingdom. Missional Christians give of their time and money and are often generally inconvenienced for the sake of advancing Jesus’ kingdom. They

sacrifice their own agendas for the sake of his. 

 

• Wanting to be part of something they hadn’t yet seen (the Kingdom of God). In John 4, the woman at the well wanted the water of life; In John 3, Nicodemas came seeking answers to questions that nagged his soul; in Mark 10, Bartemaeus follows Jesus in response to his healing

and begins to see something greater before him. Missional Christians want more of the experience they begin to have with Christ and pursue him though they can’t see the future fulfillment of his kingdom clearly. 

 

• Making their mistakes boldly. Peter missed the significance of Jesus’ identity at the transfiguration; James and John wanted to call down fire on those who weren’t with them; the disciples ran away at the crucifixion. Their mistakes were a result of their desire to live out faith in Jesus. Even though at times their efforts were misguided and they responded in fear, they didn’t become passive in the face of their confusion. Rather they made their mistakes boldly and often publicly. Missional Christians are willing to live out their lives as faithfully as they know how, even when it means they will make mistakes.

 

• Willing to be public about their devotion to Jesus; the woman of the city washed Jesus’ feet; Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb; Matthew the tax collector left his table to follow Jesus and then his invited his friends to meet him; Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus received the body of Jesus and placed it in the tomb. Missional Christians lead increasingly public lives with regard to their belief in Christ.

 

• Staying to the end even when they struggled to understand. Their fundamental experience with Jesus and the changes they experienced through him sustained them even through the darkest of times. Missional Christians learn that their faith is a foundation to stand on even when

life is particularly diffi cult. They commit to be together with others who believe even when confused about what they are supposed to do. These followers were the foundation for the church Jesus built. They set the stage for those who would follow him after the resurrection. Jesus invited them to join him, even though they didn’t fully understand what they were being asked to be a part of. He called them to himself even when they didn’t see how it would eventually affect them or understand the implications their obedience would have for the future success of his mission. The disciples are our models for missional Christians.
 

Characteristics of missional Christians:

 

• Show up. They are attracted to what we are doing and like the fact that there is a new risk to take that has a great purpose behind it. They come to events. They make an effort to be where we are working.  

 

• Are eager to see something happen that isn’t currently happening on campus. They may not understand what it is we are trying to achieve but they understand enough to engage with us in building the ministry and reach out to parts of the campus we had never impacted.

 

• Are willing to make accommodations in their lives to see something develop. They rearrange their schedule, are available, make some sacrifices to see meetings take place and the work gets They are willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of advancing Jesus’ kingdom. 

 

• Want more in their relationship to God and want it for those around them even if they aren’t sure how it will be done. 

 

• Are able to engage with others and seek to have an influence on them. It’s not just that they are smooth relationally, but they make significant connections.

 

• Take risks. The level of risk looks different with different people, but students and faculty who are missional demonstrate that they are willing to step out beyond their comfort zone for the sake to this movement they have joined.

 

• Are teachable and are willing to learn and contribute ideas of their own. 

 

• Can and do gather others around them. 

 

• Aren’t afraid to stand out in some way in public as followers of Jesus.

 

• Want to engage with Jesus and the world and so they are willing to be involved in outreach.