Who is Jesus to you?
- To a woman with a history of broken relationships, He was living water.
- To an adulteress, He was a defender.
- To a blind man, He was an optometrist.
- To a deaf man, He was a speech and language therapist.
- To a quadriplegic, He was a doctor.
- To tax collectors and prostitutes, He was a friend.
- To weather-beaten seamen, He was peace in a storm.
- To hapless fishermen, He was a fishing expert.
- To a demoniac, He was an exorcist.
- To a child, He was a grownup with a friendly face.
- To a distinguished military leader, He was a commander-in-chief.
- To a religious leader, He was a professor of theology.
- To 12 men who argued about who was the greatest, He was a servant.
- To the people who crucified Him, He was a forgiver.
- To a world that didn’t know Him, He was a Savior.
If Jesus is all of these things and so much more, then why do we struggle so much to introduce Him to others?
Overcoming the Fear Factor
The very thought of beginning a spiritual conversation with another person often generates uncomfortable feelings. As we think about how the other person will respond, what they will think of us, whether we’ve chosen the wrong time or what other social consequences we might face, our enthusiasm morphs into anxiety. Confidence ducks for cover behind fear or shame. Our eyes dart toward the nearest exit. Our minds race to plan our retreat. Our heart rate and breathing speed up. Stress sweat forms on our forehead and upper lip. Our stomach tightens. — You get the idea.
In John 4, Jesus used a well to introduce Himself to a Samaritan woman. Over the course of their conversation, the woman’s demeanor toward Him shifted from apprehension to warmth and openness. As the conversation naturally developed, Jesus pivoted toward spiritual things and helped her see her need for Him.
We can use a similar strategy as we share the gospel. Much of our anxiety about sharing Christ with others fades as we build intentional relationships.
Follow Your Doctor’s Example
When you schedule a doctor’s visit to address a persistent cough which has been bothering you, your doctor won’t instantly prescribe cough medicine. At least, they shouldn’t. After listening to you describe your symptoms and doing an examination, they will have more information to make a diagnosis and prescribe proper treatment. Your doctor uses listening and observation to understand and meet your needs.
Our approach to sharing Christ with others should be similar. Effective soul-winners listen and observe so they can understand and show how Jesus can meet others’ needs. Of course, listening and observation occur in the context of relationships.
Missionaries often share the gospel in countries where it is difficult, dangerous or even illegal to do so. When they proclaim their faith, they don’t stand at street corners and yell at passers-by that they are going to hell or write ominous messages about God’s coming judgment on a sandwich board hoping someone will read and be saved. Instead, they build relationships.
Meet People Where They Are
Here are some creative ways they do it:
- Meeting physical needs when resources are scarce
- Watching and discussing movies and their themes
- Starting a college community group
- Partnering with displaced refugees
- Hosting medical clinics
- Inviting neighbors over for coffee and snacks
- Inviting non-Christians to church with a meal and evangelistic film
- Opening a coffee shop
- Teaching ESL (English as a Second Language)
- Participating in community service
- Getting involved in local special interest clubs and events
- Initiating friendship
- Hosting marriage classes
- Ministries to the deaf
There are plenty of other ways to build relationships. If you aren’t quite as innovative, start by initiating friendship and simply being a friend! An Australian missionary with a film review ministry acknowledged, “If you’re willing to meet people where they are and look at this as a relationship, many people will listen to the gospel.”[i]
He’s right. To meet people where they are, we have to get to know them and their interests. Even when they disagree with us. Even when they are at the opposite end of the political spectrum. Even when they look different. Even when they hold different core values. This takes time and intentional effort. Once friendship develops, we earn the right to be heard.
Relationships with the unsaved are the bridge over which we carry the message of Christ crucified and risen again. The more relationships we build — the more we listen, observe and engage — the better we can show our new friends who Jesus is.
Who is Jesus to you? May He be the inspiration for your evangelism, so you will see as He did “the fields are white for harvest.” (John 4:35)
[i] ABWE Message, Vol. 72, Issue 02, 2024, p.5
Article by Cam Edwards
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