Made for These Times by Justin Zoradi

Author:Justin Zoradi
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2018-07-12T16:00:00+00:00

Jesus didn’t need the twelve disciples by his side for his mission on earth to flourish. He could have easily healed the sick, restored the sight of the blind, and agitated the religious and political leaders of his day all by himself. Think Bruce Willis in Die Hard. Why use the police when they are a bunch of bumbling idiots? Go solo. Instead, Jesus chose to surround himself with twelve companions, all of them flawed, to invest in, challenge, and become the future mouthpiece for the largest spiritual movement in human history.

In Mark 4 we see Jesus come alongside the twelve disciples in a unique way that reveals a glimpse of his character and humility. Often speaking in metaphor, Jesus shared the parable of the sower, which is about the Word of God being scattered like seeds into various landscapes. Like his stories often did, Jesus’ story left the disciples confused. Despite their confusion, Jesus responds gracefully. I love the way The Message translation describes it. “With many stories like these, he presented his message to them, fitting the stories to their experience and maturity. He was never without a story when he spoke. When he was alone with his disciples, he went over everything, sorting out the tangles, untying the knots” (Mark 4:33–34 The Message).

“Sorting out the tangles, untying the knots.” This is a very simple, often overlooked description of the character of Jesus. I envision him hunched over, leaning into his disciples, explaining again and again what these stories really mean. We often forget that the twelve disciples were simple people. They were predominantly uneducated, manual laborers. Many of these metaphors and allegories would truly be difficult for them to grasp. But there is Jesus, explaining it again, his reassuring hand on their shoulder, untying the knots of their minds.

While he didn’t need to, Jesus is the ultimate example of someone who chose to bind up his humanity in others. He is the deepest expression of humility and character. As people made for these times, we must ask ourselves if we are willing to humble ourselves like Christ. Are we willing to help others feel like they matter? No matter our age, career path, social standing, or the amount of money we have in the bank, are we willing to sit with people and untie the knots?

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