Things Jesus Didn’t Do

In the modern world we like to gauge our status and self-worth by our positions and possessions. Sometimes I wonder how Jesus would stack up against all the things we think are important.

Jesus never held a political office.

Jesus never had an “author platform” or bestselling book on Amazon.

Jesus didn’t have a podcast.

Jesus didn’t have a doctorate degree.

Jesus never drove a new car.

Jesus didn’t have major-league box seats.

Jesus never worked at a megachurch.

Jesus didn’t have Twitter followers, Facebook fans, or YouTube subscribers.

Jesus didn’t own a Mac.

Jesus didn’t have a blog.

Jesus never had an album on iTunes, a painting in an art gallery, or an article in a major magazine.

Jesus didn’t play a Taylor guitar.

Jesus never appeared on television.

Jesus never spoke at a major conference.

Jesus never travelled the world.

Jesus never did any of these things. These aren’t bad things, mind you. In fact, all of these positions and possessions can be used for good. Many people use them to serve others, share the Gospel, and make the world a better place.

They are good things. But they are not the main thing.

So what’s the main thing?

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

“My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34)

To serve.

To give.

To seek.

To save.

To do his father’s will and finish his work.

That’s what Jesus focused on. That was his main thing.

In our pursuit of success, sometimes it’s hard to know what is most important. If you’re like me, I get it wrong at times.

Blogs, books, social media, positions, degrees, computers, possessions … they’re all wonderful and can be great tools for success. But they’re not the main thing.

My hope and prayer is that we can keep them in their place—a place that’s a distant second to the main thing of honoring God and serving a broken world.

Photo courtesy of Gratisography