Jesus Pusher 137

I am a Jesus pusher!!! There are many great “I am” statements of Jesus. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth and the life,” (John 14:6). Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM,” (John 8:58). Jesus said, “I am the bread of life,” (John 6:48). Jesus said to them, “I am the good shepherd,” (John 10:11). He also said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep,” (John 10:7). In each of these statements, Jesus is stating who He is. But notice, it is a statement of who He is in connection with us. He is only the door of the sheep because we are His sheep. He is the way because I desperately need direction for my life. He is the truth because I am lost in confusion. He is the great I AM because there is no eternal life for me without Him. The fact of these various needs is my life does not create or cause them in Him. He is these things without me and before me. The fact I need eternal life does not make Him the great I AM. He is the great I AM who created me in His image. Therefore, because of who He is, I can become. He is the way whether I exist or not. However, I was created by Him in His likeness; therefore, He is my way.

God has a plan; it is Jesus. Everything that makes me the complete person I was created to be is found in Jesus. Therefore, Jesus is the plan for my life. Outside of Him there is nothing but chaos, destruction, and dismay. He is where I belong. I live in Him, the plan of God. I am a Jesus pusher!!!

Jesus Pusher 136

I am a Jesus pusher!!! God has an awesome plan. Jesus is the plan! Let me illustrate this with the young man who is desperately in love. His dream is not simply of a person to maintain his household; he could hire a maid for such a purpose. His plan is not just someone to “mother” his future children; he could hire a nanny. His wish is not just for companionship; he could secure an escort. At the core of his nature and being is all we conceive in marriage. It is all the above only with the cement of intimacy and oneness. It is not a plan he has which someone else can fulfill in his absence. Love demands the presence of the young man in the midst of the plan and dream. In fact, in a real sense, he is the plan.

Jesus is the plan and dream of God! The plan is not a project; the plan is not a venture. The plan is not an attempt or experiment. God does not have a plan apart from us. He descended from His throne to become one of us. Now we see that He is the dream and the plan. Everything God dreamed for us is found in Jesus. I am to be found in Him. In speaking of the fulfillment of the plan, Jesus said, “I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you,” (John 14:20). This is the ultimate of relationship. Love is fulfilled in oneness. While we may care for the house, watch over the children, and cook the meals, we are in the embrace of the One who loves us. We are in His plan. Jesus is the plan. I am a Jesus pusher!!!

Jesus Pusher 135

I am a Jesus pusher!!! The ministry of Jesus in Galilee was focused on the purpose of God. It is proven by the prophecy given by Isaiah hundreds of years before it happened (Matthew 4:14). God had a plan; Jesus is the plan! He is not like the owner of a large factory who employees hundreds of men. The owner will never meet these men; they are simply a means to an end. God’s plan is Jesus; there is personal involvement in my life with Him. If this is not true, He could not be the plan. Jesus going to Galilee fulfilled (pleroo) what God prophesied through Isaiah. This Greek word paints the picture of an empty container. Content is placed into the empty container. The container is quickly filled, completed, or overflowing with the content. In this passage, the container is the dream in the heart of God. This dream is an intimate part of the very nature of God. To discard this dream would be to discard who He is. If this plan is not accomplished, He is left empty and unfulfilled. Jesus is found in the dream of the heart of God. Jesus is the plan.

If I miss Jesus, I miss everything that fulfills the heart of God. If I am not intimate with Jesus, I am not intimate with the heart of God. If I am not sourced by Jesus, I miss the righteousness of the heart of God. If I do not embrace Jesus, I miss the embrace of the heart of God. I must run to Jesus! There is no other place to which I can turn. In the person of Jesus I find my destiny, the plan. Jesus is where I belong; He is home! There is safety in Him; He is the haven of my soul! I am a Jesus pusher!!!

Jesus Pusher 134

I am a Jesus pusher!!! Jesus received the news that John the Baptist was in prison. The projection was that he would be beheaded. Jesus immediately moved from Judea to Galilee to start a new ministry. In Galilee, He went down to His hometown Nazareth. But due to the negative reception there, He moved His home to Capernaum. One could project a lot of reasons why this took place. Was Jesus responding out of fear? Was He protecting Himself from hard times? Matthew is very bold in telling us the purpose of these decisions. He writes, “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet,” (Matthew 4:14). This is not an isolated statement. In the first four chapters of this Gospel, Matthew makes seven distinct references to prophecy. It is his pattern to stop in the midst of relating a story and refer to prophecy. Matthew is highlighting the purpose or plan God is accomplishing in this moment.

These events are not random or coincidence. From the Christmas story to John the Baptist to the Galilean ministry, Jesus is the focus of the plan. God is in charge and nothing will thwart the plan; Jesus is the plan. Things may look dark for Mary and Joseph as they flee to Egypt; but they are included in the plan, Jesus! John the Baptist may be depressed in a dungeon cell; but he is in the midst of the plan, Jesus! Do not question it! You and I are in the plan. Don’t stray from the plan! This is why I am a Jesus pusher!!! He is the plan; He has included me. Don’t miss the plan.

Jesus Pusher 133

I am a Jesus pusher!!! Jesus left Judea in order to minister in Galilee (Matthew 4:12). There was a great need in Galilee. How could it be adequately described? The prophet states it as: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned,” (Matthew 4:16). This is very strong Biblical language. It establishes contrasts. There is light and darkness; there is light and the region and shadow of death. The Jews in Jerusalem had an abundance of light. The scribes of the Scriptures and the temple with the very presence of God were among them. The great movements of God came to them. An angel appeared in the temple to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist (Luke 1:8-25). Even the shepherds in this area saw the angels at the birth of Christ. Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem with the announcement. God had showered Judea with His light.

Now the Light is going to Galilee. Up to this time Galilee has been bombarded by darkness. The trade routes brought hundreds of people into their region spreading darkness. The prophet expands the contrast from darkness to death. The ultimate goal and result of darkness is death. But Light had dawned! Jesus has come! To every dark place of my life, He is the light. He did not send the light or describe the light. It is not a theology or meditation technique. He is the Light. I embrace Him and I see. All is exposed and I am well! I am a Jesus pusher!!!

Jesus Pusher 132

I am a Jesus pusher!!! Jesus ministered alongside John the Baptist for a brief period of time. When John was taken to prison, Jesus moved His ministry to Galilee. He loved the people of Judea. He wept over the city of Jerusalem. Jesus used the imagery of a hen gathering her chicks under her wing. This was His desire for them; but they would not (Matthew 23:37). He made them aware of judgment, but did it through tears and regret. They had the startling opportunity of embracing Him at His birth in Bethlehem; but they were indifferent. They soon lost their opportunity to know their King. He began His ministry among them, but quickly moved on to Galilee. One more time they lost their opportunity.

How many times has He has come to me? Has He wept over me, crying out with the desire to gather me to His protection? Has He whispered His message in my ear again and again? How many times have I resisted? How many chances have I already missed? I will miss them no longer! I am crying out to Him for deliverance from my indifference. I want the hard shell of my heart to become tender. I desperately desire to hear the whisper of His instruction in my inner heart. I will place all other voices on mute in order to hear Him alone. No other influence, no other agenda, and no other resource will be sought. He is my all in all! My heart is sensitive to His call. He embraces me. I am a Jesus pusher!!!

Jesus Pusher 131

I am a Jesus pusher!!! Upon the imprisonment of John the Baptist, Jesus moved His ministry to Galilee (Matthew 4:12, 13). It would have been politically correct to minister in Jerusalem, befriend the leaders of Israel, and become known in the temple. Jesus could have correctly claimed Judea as His home place; He was born in Bethlehem. But He did not; He went to Galilee. The Galileans were His people; He was raised among them. Their fishing and farming culture was His. He identified with their political struggles; He understood their economic circumstances. He spoke with their accent; He enjoyed their music. He was one of them!

I have this same personal connection to Jesus. He came from my hometown, speaks with my accent, and was raised in my environment. How can Jesus do this for all of us? A friend of mine shared with me this vision. Jesus was sitting on the throne of His Kingdom. My friend was sitting next to Him. My friend seemed so small; in fact, his feet stretched out straight on the chair as if he were a child. He asked Jesus, “Are we alone?” Jesus laughed and said, “No, there are millions of people all around.” With a wave of His hand He corrected my friend’s vision so all were seen. “Why are they not sitting beside you as I am?” was his next question. Jesus answered, “They are!” Let me assure you of your special connection to Him. He has your color of skin, your history, and knows your need. He is from your hometown. When He comes to where you are, He has come home! I am a Jesus pusher!!!