Sabbath: Jesus Mingled With People
Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 1:22-23; John 1:14; Luke 15:3-24; Matt. 9:10-13; Ps. 51:17; 1 John 2:16; Phil. 2:13-15.
Memory Text: “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them’” (Luke 15:1-2, NIV).
Image © Lars Justinen Goodsalt.com
A deacon in a local church drove a van that took the youth to an old-age home to hold a worship service every month. In the first week, while the youth were leading out, an old man in a wheelchair grabbed the deacon’s hand and held it during the service. This happened month after month. One time, when the youth group came, the man in the wheelchair was not there. The staff said that he would not likely live through the night. The deacon went to his room, and he was lying there, obviously unconscious. Taking the old man’s hand, the deacon prayed that the Lord would grant him eternal life. The seemingly unconscious man squeezed the deacon’s hand tightly, and the deacon knew that his prayer had been heard. With tears in his eyes, he stumbled out of the room, bumping into a woman who said, “I’m his daughter. He’s been waiting for you. My father said, ‘Once a month Jesus comes and holds my hand. And I don’t want to die until I have a chance to hold the hand of Jesus one more time.’”-Adapted from The Least of These, a video produced by Old Fashioned Pictures (2004). Used by permission.
Christianity is about becoming “Jesus” for somebody. The next several lessons will focus on aspects of Jesus’ ministry method and how His church can live out His ministry.
* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 6.
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Our daily life and mission should focus on the life of Jesus so much so that when people look at us, Christ's character will be seen. That way we will become that bridge that link the world to Christ
Emeka, what you say is quite true but how do we put that into practice. Saying what we must do is not the same as doing. 1 Cor 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
We need the courage to walk out of the comfort of our church into the community, to live the meaning of Christ's love; to make friends with who we can share.
Who can we mingle with? And how?
Jesus' association with tax collectors,sinners, and undesirables, was intentional I believe. Jesus was able make a point and use His superior knowledge to manage a disagreement to advantage, always with the help, and for the purposes of the Father.
greeting one another,socializing sharing the good news of jesus on how wonderful he has been and done for us and that nomatter our circumstance he will never let us or forsake us hossanah to the most high breathrens
Tasara Bulongo; Your comment is fine as a mission statement but where do we go and who do we socialize with. Seventh-day Adventists have a long history of isolationism for fear of being contaminated by the world. Do we join social clubs, and sports leagues?
Here are two examples. I am an academic, and have spent most of my life working in Adventist institutions. For my research I went to a local state university where I had to mix with academics in my discipline area. We had to work and socialize together. Often we would attend conferences that included social events. It was an education for me, to get out into the real world and mix with mainly un-churched people. Opportunities came up for witnessing, not in an in your face manner, but in ways to be helpful. For example, after many social events my colleagues were over the legal alcohol driving limit and needed to be driven home. I could always do that. They relied on me being sober! Such help often led to discussions about why I was an abstainer, and providing you didn't give them a guilt trip, was always welcomed.
Now that I am retired I run community education courses aimed at involving community members in the local environment. Just being there and knowing that Seventh-day Adventists have common environmental and community goals breaks down barriers and encourages conversations about spirituality.
I want to encourage our readers to share experiences of how they have moved their spirituality outside the four walls of the church into the community.
A doctor's wife in our church heard about the Fall Proof and Fitness Classes that were offered for the elderly by the county in our area. She took the necessary training and started a class for the community at our church fellowship room. She encouraged a few of us to take the training also. We meet twice a week and almost all of the time the non church members out number us church members. Last week one of the non members invited me to go to Star Bucks with she and two other class members. Out of my comfort zone for sure!! But I went and had a wonderful time getting to know each of them better.
In a couple of weeks we are starting a nutrition - cooking class at our church. Guess who we will be inviting as some of the group has shown interest in healthy eating?
When one of the class members was being taken to the hospital during one of our classes, I suggested we pray right then and it was readily accepted. We have had opportunity to pray a couple of times for sick members. Since the class is sponsored by the county, we can not have prayer as a part of the program each week, but certainly take the opportunity when it presents itself.
When our mission syncs with Gods will for us, then we will impact our world and the lives of others.
I'm going to keep pressing for a practical sense of "Mingling and associating with sinners". Jesus did it; How can we? Jesus was very practical and until we get a sense of practical spirituality, rather than the religion of catch phrases and slogans, we are just noise in an echo chamber.
Maurice, I understand your press "for a practical sense of mingling" on the premise that "Jesus did it", but unless an individual has a clear grasp on our Creator's truth, I believe your press for practical specifics may be counter-productive even harmful to well-intentioned individual's spirituality. We don't usually yell, "run, run!", at someone lying on a railroad track with both thigh bones broken and a train barreling down on them.
Christian communities and organizations speak too little of the practical outcomes of fallen humanity. We speak too little of Scripture's declaration that ALL men are "sinners" (Rm 3:9-12) and what that means in practical terms for each individual's RELATIONSHIP to his/her Creator and his/her fellow-creatures. Here are some things to bear in mind:
- God didn't create a "church" in the beginning, He created individuals (Gen 1:27).
- He created those individuals for a practical purpose (Gen 1:26; 2:15), whose practice unfolded as UNION (oneness of thought) was maintained with their Creator (Gen 2:19).
- The beautiful mind with which our Creator endowed us (Gen 1:27; Ps 8:5-6), became satan's domain instead (Jn 8:44; James 1:14-15).
- It is that, once beautiful, mind that now keeps us apart from our Creator (Isaiah 53:6; 44:20).
What does all of this have to do with Jesus' mingling? Well, Scripture declares Him to be the son of God (Mt 16:16), and ALL sons of God have ONE identifying characteristic (Rm 8:14). Scripture abounds with Jesus' qualification as a Son of God (Lk 4:1,18,21; 3:22). In fact He was "God's anointed" for that very reason (Acts 10:38). So what's my point? "Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people." MH p. 143. If we're going to mingle like Jesus mingled, and achieve His level of success (Jn 8:29; Lk 3:22; Jn 14:12), then our fallen minds which are now satan's domain (Eph 2:2-3; 4:23) MUST be replaced with a mind like Christ's (Rm 8:9). ANYTHING other than that, flows from a tainted source, incapable of pleasing God (Rm 8:7-8)...regardless of our "mingling" record (Mt 7:22-23).
Dear Lynrol, it seems to me that the only way that we will ever have the mind of Jesus is to do what He told us to do - to share the gospel message. And to do that, we need to follow His example. It is as we "trust and obey," that Christ will change our minds to be like His. It will never happen as long a we sit on our hands and hope to become like Him.
Inge, Lk 4:18-19,21 records Jesus' own understanding of His mission to Earth, and His work is our work (Jn 14:12). However, before we can become engaged in His work, we must FIRST be "liberated from our captivity" (Col 1:12-14). The problem is that most "normal" individuals who come into the christian community don't have a truthful knowledge of how God sees ALL fallen humans (Rm 8:7; 3:9-12) and satan would keep it that way (2 Cor 4:4), were it not for Messiah's ministry (Lk 4:18). It is not our Creator's will that anyone "sit on our hands and hope to become like Him", as it is His desire that ALL His disciples DO become like Him (Lk 6:40)! However, can you imagine what might happen if Jesus sent the individual featured in Lk 8:27-30 to "mingle" before he's ministered to?! But that's God's portrayal of our fallen humanity (see Rm 3:9-12 again). I'm saying that all who would take the name and work of Christ MUST understand ourselves as God sees us, then we MUST subordinate our true selves to His mission of teaching, healing, liberation and sight restoration (Lk 4:18). Not until after we've been ministered to by Christ and have become demon-free, subdued and clothed "in [our] right mind" (Lk 8:35) can we become actual witnesses (Lk 8:38-39). It is an unfortunate irony that religious entities by telling broken individuals that by engaging in religious activities they become well. We, with good intentions for the most part, effectively undermine (Mt 23:15) the Creator's prophesied mission. Our present reality can only be submitted for healing when we accept our Creator's truthful assessment of all persons everywhere (Jn 8:31-32).
Dear Lynrol, thank you for bringing up the possessed man we usually refer to as "the demoniac." In his possessed state (captivity), he knew he needed help and he dimly comprehended that Christ had the help he needed. I believe Christ specifically drew this man to Him, and as soon as the demoniac met Christ - though the demons made him rage against Christ (Luke 8:28) - Christ healed him.
So it is with all who come to Christ. They/we may have varying understanding of their/our need, but Christ sets us free and sends us out to "mingle" - just as He did with those two men. Note that the healed man had at most a few hours with Christ before He sent him out to "mingle" - to declare how much God has done for you." (Luke 8:38-39)
I believe the example of Christ's dealing with this man is highly important to us because it reveals what our main message is to be - what Christ has done for us. This will make others long for a like miracle, and the Lord will give us the right words to say.
But, of course, we need to have a testimony of what He has done for us. And we obtain that testimony by the same means that the paralytic man at the pool of Bethesda did: We need to "trust and obey." (John 5:7-9) Note that the man did not wait to assess his condition to see if he was able to obey. He trusted the words of Christ, and as he set his will to obey, he was healed. So it is with us. As we trust and obey, Christ works His miracle in our hearts.
But you seem to have something else on your mind. How do you propose that followers of Christ will learn to "accept our Creator's truthful assessment of all persons everywhere"? (You reference John 8:31-32, and it seems to me that "abiding" in Christ's word involves obedience, and obedience includes spending time with Christ to learn of Him - through personal devotions and prayer as well as telling about Him as we "mingle.")
When we look for a specific behavior we will have a problem it is the condition of one's heart, all of us are children of God who are plagued with the spiritual sickness of Sin. We must not misrepresent Christ by discrimination of any form we must mingle and not be stumbling blocks, for instead of pointing them to Jesus as we mingle ,showing them that Jesus sees them as persons in need of healing. When we stand aloof, we are clearly implying that are viewed by us as sinners to be condemned and shunned. Mixing gives us the opportunity to point them to restoration and Healing.
Maurice, you have given us a challenge and an invitation to state how one can be 'Jesus' to folks in our community. I live on an Island built up originally with volcanic soil, so vegetables and fruit generally grow well here. But I am not a gardener, I have no land I can use, and when I did - the feral fowl ate up all my little seedlings. So I make cakes and give them away. I usually make Boiled Fruit cakes where purchased dried fruits are boiled with butter and water first, cooled and then made into a cake batter. The dried fruit is expensive to buy but I augment by substitutions with preserved watermelon peel or green pawpaw, and jam or jelly I have made from otherwise wasted fruit and peels. I use real raw unprocessed sugar and lately using vegetable oil instead of animal butter - all to save some money and for health reasons. So that when I give them away I am not counting the cost. I feel I am utilising the free gifts of fruit God has provided through my cousin who lets me use from his trees because his children have left home. I give these cakes away to the community such as the post office and police staff; hospital staff; government offices and businesses that I dealt with; to the men on road gangs repairing the roads; to sick friends and relatives, to new neighbours or anyone that I know of. Most have appreciated the gesture; none so far has refused them though some have been surprised. My favourite book in the bible is James who said virtually - take action to support your good words. Indeed the motto for our Island community is ‘Inasmuch’ taken from Matthew 25:40 (KJV).
Godbless today, A Stolz
I have been on your island and in your church. I was blessed by the welcome and warmth of your fellowship when we visited there.
Jesus Christ in the first place humbled himself and focused on the needs of the people. No wonder he could associate with them. Now as Christians we need Christ's character. Why? So that before we even speak to them, they see Christ in us.
Our job as Christian's is to share the Gospel with the unchurched and we are to be the salt of earth.
We our to set our light on the top of the mountain to shine to the world. Mingling with everyone as Christ do.
As some commentary states: How has leadership in the church fail. Why have so many who join the church with hope, refused to attend services again..What happen to the Church, is the Church following Jesus or following the Pharisee as their leader? Jesus went about going good, the leadership went about with fire and brimstone and the burden that they cannot keep themselves.
Jesus was always in the world, but was not part of the world. Jesus as an example loved everyone unconditional. could we say the same. Do we allow our prejudice to determine who we associate with?
While my father was confind to a bed in a nursing home. I went through a list of songs. I would sing songs & chorus to him & ask him if he knew them. If he did he would say yes if not no very strongly. I once asked him what bible passage he wanted me to read he once said Leviticus 19 . I read it till he told me to stop. He had aphasia but he knew quite a few words written & spoken. He just struggled to put a sentence together. More of this should be done in nursing homes for the elderly.
Jesus did it so it may be an example to us. Too bad we are always looking for our likes to mingle with. In other stands, this mingling has its limits. We must know how and why.
I would say that mingling is nothing new nor do we need to look for an opportunity to mingle as we mingle all the time.
We are called to be helpful and share with our daily acquintance and as we pray God will open doors.
Let us be like Christ and take Jesu's character, when people come close to us they can see jesus in us .Amen
I think that it's important to remember that every day that GOD bestows His breath of life upon us, this day is an opportunity to reflect GOD's light/love/mercy/grace in our words, thoughts and actions. We do not necessarily have to 'seek out' people to minister to them but we should be mindful of how we represent GOD/Family/Ourselves in our everyday dealings with the general public. We do not know who is watching us, who we could potentially be a stumbling block for or that for some people, we may be the only example of Christ that they are exposed to, you just NEVER KNOW!
That being said, ensure that everyday, in whatever manner is right for you and Christ, you ask GOD to be your hands/feet/ears/voice/empathetic heart. We are a reflection of Christ's character everyday - whether shopping at the market, making a trip to the post office, volunteering at our children's school or on the daily grind at work. Remember, our thoughts frequently manifest on the outside so be mindful of how your words, actions, and even our body language may affect one's view of GOD through us. *PEACE/LOVE/BLESSINGS*
I think it is important as Christian, especially Seventh-Day Adventist Christians to not foster a sense of being isolated in our communities. We need to be as last week lesson said, the salt we must be able to mix with others outside of our "comfort zone" especially those in our communities. One way my church has been doing this in our community was having the young persons lead out in a program where we gave out bread and Steps to Christ books to members in our community. I can tell you it was greatly appreciated. We followed this up with groups of church members going into different communities for a Prayer Walk and handing out Priorities magazine
Maurice – I was surprised and delighted to realise you ‘up on top of the world’ have been to Norfolk Island and our church here, and thank you for the kind words: Just the same, I have been looking in the comments for the answer to your quest to ‘keep pressing for a practical sense of "Mingling and associating with sinners": In response to Karen’s suggestion that more and better interaction be given between patient and staff in nursing homes. May I say that as a trainee nurse in 1959 where I was in Sydney, all of us were presented with pocket size bibles by the Bible Society, with the psalms, selected verses of hope, and the full New Testament, so we could read to patients and relatives, ourselves, and colleagues, at any time. Nowadays the Social Workers seem to think they know best and have taken that practice out of nurses’ hands and this is now the responsibility of themselves or Chaplains: CiCl, it is true people are watching church goers all the time in our communities: And Tash, thank you for sharing regarding your young persons gave out ‘Steps of Christ’ to community members. I like that and will suggest our Church do the same thing. Godbless today, Mrs A Stolz.
Aha Mrs Stolz, I'm an Australian (Well, NZer actually, but lived in Australia all my working life) and know several Norfolk Islanders and have indeed taught some of them on the odd occasion. My wife, Carmel, and I visited Norfolk Island in 2007 for a week and attended the Norfolk Is church while we were there.
Inge, your insight is correct, I do "have something else on [my] mind" with respect to the Creator's ministry to His human creatures. Keep in mind to whom Jesus was sent to minister (Dan 9:24; Mt 15:24; Rm 1:16). From the OT (Deut 9:4-6; 5:29) to the NT (John 8:30-33), God has endeavored to bring His people to an awareness of His truth regarding themselves, but they've had a hard time accepting God's truth from anyone (Mt 21:36-37; Acts 7:51). What's even more astonishing is that the particular group in Jn 8 was not His usual opponents, the Pharisees or Sadducees (Jn 8:30-31), making their retorts all the more shocking (Jn 8:39,41,48)! However, consider Jesus' exchange with a leader in the early church, Peter, whom Jesus called and commissioned to "mingle" (Mt 10:2,5). Jesus, referencing Scripture accompanied by His knowledge of His creatures, foretells His disciples' actions (Mt 26:31), but He has a special message for Peter (Mt 26:34). Had Peter taken a more thoughtful approach to his Teacher's truthful pronouncement, anchored in Scripture, he would have avoided a painful, public meltdown (Mt 26:74-75). We are called to deny ourselves, not our Creator's (Mt 16:24) truth about our fallen humanity and His mission to lift us up. If I understand His portrayals properly, the human family, of which I am a part, has some deeply rooted problems that are not apparent to our perceptions (Jer 17:9; Rev 12:9). Can you imagine going to your local hospital with a fractured pinky or in all out cardiac arrest and being told, "if you only get busy doing hospital work you'll be fine!"? Yet, many in religious communities are being lulled into a false sense of security by being told similarly (Mt 15:5-6). Thank God for His Son, the compassionate High Priest, who ministers on our behalf even ahead of our public meltdowns (Lk 22:31-32)!
Dear Lynrol, it seems you are continuing to make the same point - that we need to know our condition in relation to our Creator, but you have not shared a way that we can know our condition!
I would like to suggest that just one clear glimpse of Jesus will make our own shortcomings and our own need painfully clear. Then we will know that there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. And, for that matter, there is nothing we can do to make Christ love us any more or love us any less. All we can do is to fall at His feet and cry, "Lord save me!" And He answers that cry immediately. He saves us by His grace, and when He does, He sends us out into the world to tell what God has done for us, just as He did with the healed demoniac. And, as we trust and obey - as I suggested earlier - He trains us and teaches us to do more and more.
In this lesson we are discussing how Christians should follow Christ's example. We are not, in this lesson, discussing how to come to Christ in the first place. Unless I'm mistaken, it seems that the latter appears to be your focus.
Inge, you said, "In this lesson we are discussing how Christians should follow Christ's example. We are not, in this lesson, discussing how to come to Christ in the first place.", and Christ agrees that people should follow His example (Jn 14:6; 9:5; 1:9). But how do I KNOW whether I should become a carpenter like Him (Mk 6:3)? Or heal people's illnesses (Mt 9:35)? Or sharply (Mt 16:23) or softly (Jn 8:6-7) rebuke others? etc?...etc? What was it about this special Human that made His ENTIRE life's record PLEASING to His Father (Lk 3:22; Jn 8:29) and a worthy example for all other humans? Well, unless all of us, like Him, are REBORN by the action of God's Spirit (Lk 1:35; Jn 3:5) and DIRECTED by God's Spirit (Lk 4:1,18; 1 Cor 12:7,11), then all our present post-Adam actions are being generated by a spirit that is not in accordance with our Creator's will for us (Gen 3:22-23; Rm 7:21). So how are we to follow His example if we are revealed by our Creator's light to be in possession of minds that propel us contrary to Him (Isaiah 53:6; Ps 95:10)? Can two walk together harmoniously, unless they're in agreement? So I say that there really isn't any way we can separate how we truly "come to Christ in the first place" and following "Christ's example". The two concepts are inextricably related to each other!
So if I sound like a broken record, please forgive me! ("it seems you are continuing to make the same point - that we need to know our condition in relation to our Creator, but you have not shared a way that we can know our condition!"). If anyone comes to me and reports, "I feel tired!", my response is always going to be, "go lie down and get some rest". If they report, "I feel thirsty!", my response is always going to be, "Have a drink of water until you're satisfied". If my thinking, mistakenly or (God forbid) purposely, confuse those two solutions, as long as that confused state persists, I won't ever be of any service to tired or thirsty individuals (1 Cor 2:11-12,14; Jn 14:12; 16:7).
Lynrol, it seems to me that you are clouding the issue of the lesson with another issue. It is a bit like talking about the steering of the car when the issue is the gearbox. Both parts of the car are important and its true that the car won't go if the steering is broken, but for the moment we are looking at the gearbox.
One of the problems that I have with Sabbath School lessons is that we often discuss theology in minute details but fail to put the message of those lessons into practice. I am acutely aware of a time where I was in an adult Sabbath School class enjoying the stimulating theological discussion with friends and colleagues when our junior and primary Sabbath Schools were languishing because nobody would teach them. Ultimately I walked out of the adult lesson study and helped out in a junior Sabbath School because that was the right thing to do.
Our Christianity has to be practical and not just a theological abstraction. That is the what this series of lessons is trying to teach us.
Maurice, I'm sorry you misunderstood my attempt to appeal for balance as "clouding the issue". All I was trying to say in my initial post (8/11) is that there is the potential for problems if specific acts of "mingling" (fruit-bearing) become the primary focus, while not presenting that "mingling" (fruit-bearing) is the END RESULT of one inseparable PROCESS (Jn 15:4-5). Eternal things are in the balance. We can't afford to understand or present the PROCESS incorrectly.
Lynrol, although I'm not Maurice, I hope I can interject a thought:
The primary focus of this particular lesson was Jesus mingling with people as one who desired their good as an example for us. Before we can minister to people's needs, we need to "mingle" with them, just as Jesus did.
The lesson did not equate mingling with fruit bearing. You did that, and then you extrapolated from this that "mingling" is the "end result." I do not see it that way. We are to mingle with people, desiring their good, so we can minister to their needs and share what Christ has done for us. It is not the end of a process, but it should be the Christian way of life from beginning to end.
I want to draw your attention again to the healed demoniac whom you first brought up. Jesus healed him and then sent him out to "mingle" and share what Christ had done for him, within hours of healing him. (Luke 8:38-39) I don't believe that was the "end" of any process for that man, but the beginning of a walk of mingling with people, desiring their good, ministering to their needs and sharing what Christ had done and was continuing to do for him. So it should be with us, it seems to me.
Inge, my last post was pretty concise and my words deliberate. I stand by what I said. One of the things I appreciate about this site is that we may freely share our varied religious views and concepts. I believe the real worth of the site would be achieved if multiple views become subordinate to one Creator's truth (Jn 16:13). The preceding sentence would make me either an idealist or a believer of Scripture. If a believer of Scripture, then I ought to speak in accordance with what Scripture says. I don't always have a firm grasp on Scripture, but the sentences in my posts are usually accompanied by Scripture quotes, so any reader may evaluate the source of my thoughts for him/her self.
While not within its contextual use, 1 Cor 10:31 shares the principle that a believer's ENTIRE LIFE ought to be lived "to the glory of God." This idea is supported elsewhere in Scripture (James 3:10-12).
Inge, you wrote, "Before we can minister to people's needs, we need to "mingle" with them, just as Jesus did.", which I don't disagree with as a stand-alone principle. However, in the case of the demon-possessed man in Lk 8, his QUALIFICATION for "mingling" HAD TO occur FIRST. Persons with disorganized, confused thinking DO NOT and CANNOT glorify God ( Gen 1:26; 1 Cor 14:33; Lk 8:35) while they remain in that state!! I don't know that I can emphasize that last statement sufficiently!!
The demon-possessed man is our Creator's portrayal of the ENTIRE, fallen, humanity. He comes to us (Lk 8:26), preceded by a miracle over nature (Lk 8:25 compare to Lk 1:34-35), performs His work of liberation (Lk 4:18; 8:32; Act 10:38), commissions the one FORMERLY possessed (Lk 8:38-39; Eph 2:1-10), gets back in the boat and returns (Lk 8:37; Acts 1:11). Is that not the story of human salvation summarized?! Now, in light of the sequence of the events portrayed in the narrative, I assert that for the Gospel (Rm 1:16) to glorify the God who provides it, no step in the PROCESS may occur out of sequence. The Creator returned a demoniac to sanity, thereby, positioning him for total witnessing. Every time he wore his clothes (as opposed to nudity), he was a witness. Every time he entered his home (as opposed to the "tombs"), sat quietly, prepared his meals, went to work...etc, HE WAS a WITNESS...and when he "witnessed" (Lk 8:39) everything aligned...ONLY because of what Jesus did for him in the FIRST place! (Jn 15:4-5; 1 Cor 10:31)
Thanks for your thoughts, Lynrol. I believe we agree that before any mingling and sharing will do any good, the person who does the mingling and sharing needs to be converted, just as the man possessed of demons was. I believe education can be very helpful, but conversion is the primary thing. Education without conversion is useless.
It seems to me that the lesson addressed how followers of Christ (converted people) and follow Christ's example in mingling with people. I like how the lesson author ended the lesson of the day:
We can only become "Jesus" for somebody if we allow Him to live His life in us - if we follow the directions of the Holy Spirit. And we can do that in little and in big ways. I really appreciate the examples Maurice shared, the example Luana shared, the example Mrs Stolz shared (also here and here), the example Karen shared, and the example Tash shared. They are all practical examples of how we can mingle with people as Christ did and minister to their needs.
Can you share some examples of your own?
I have just opened up my emails to find the postmaster had alerted me to 6 more comments with Jesus mingling. I have read with interest the comments and note that Lynrol gave “the problem is that most "normal" individuals who come into the christian community don't have a truthful knowledge of how God sees ALL fallen humans.” With part of Inge’s reply “but Christ sets us free and sends us out to "mingle".
I have just come home after spending some time with my church and community members listening to presentations by Cheri and Brad Peters. Cheri’s work is mingling with – particularly folks with addictions. She is the same person who has a televised healing ministry. She asked us to look at addictions in another way. She spoke of the healing that can come for an individual from someone else, just being themselves, and interested in another person or sharing a joke with them can bring about healing for that individual. This healing in the brain has been physically demonstrated by modern medicine with research and technology: She and Brad have come from the States to ‘mingled’ with us to share information in the name of Jesus Christ via New Zealand in this little Island I live on. Both pointed out people who were thought to have ‘normal’ lives that they have come across, have been fallen individuals. But Christ sets us free, and sends us out to "mingle" that good news. She pointed that out for me in my life too – thanks be to God. She helped me in prayer, to see my real fallen nature and to ask for forgiveness.
I will continue to be myself, and make my cakes and present them to folks in my community as an expression of mingling and connectedness with the people I come across in my daily life. ‘Inasmuch’. Mrs. A Stolz