I am a Jesus pusher!!! “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,” (Matthew 5:10). Jesus embraces us in our helplessness and the Kingdom of Heaven is established. We respond by mourning and experience the Comforter in the embrace. His nature of meekness gives us a new relationship to our physical world. We are filled only to hunger and thirst for more. We live in a state of mercy, purity of heart, and peace as we rest in His embrace. The purpose for all of this is to reveal His person through us. He allows persecution for the final refining of His image in our lives. Jesus is allowed to see Himself in us and others see His reflection through our lives.
Jesus gathers His disciples together because of the deep burden He has for the needs of others. He takes the power He has and transfers it to them. He qualifies them for ministry. Before He sends them forth, He gives a discourse on ministry (Matthew 10). He presents the imagery for this ministry as “sheep in the midst of wolves.” This virtually reeks of persecution. He continues to describe the persecution forth coming as religious, political, and family. However, He urges His disciples not to focus on the persecution. How easy it is to major on being hurt, the pain, or how unfair it is. We are to focus on being like Him. Jesus said, “It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master” (Matthew 10:25). This is the supreme cry of the heart of one who embraces Him. “It is enough,” means the fulfillment of the passionate priority of my life. This is the supreme desire of my being. I want to look like Him. I want to be so filled, embraced, and permeated by Him that His domination can be seen in me. I am not to focus on the hurts and persecutions. I must focus on Him. He has captured me. I am a Jesus pusher!!!