In John 8:19, when the Pharisees question Jesus about His identity, He responds with a powerful declaration: “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” This profound statement highlights a key aspect of Jesus’ mission and, importantly, how we as believers should approach our own ministry in today’s world.
Jesus’ mission was not to argue or convince those who refused to believe; it was to preach the truth to those whose hearts were open to it. On that particular day, He did not enter the temple courts to engage in a heated debate with the Pharisees. His purpose was not to waste time on those whose hearts were hardened in unbelief, but to share the gospel with those willing to listen. And when the Pharisees interrupted, He didn’t argue. He didn’t engage in an endless back-and-forth. He simply dismissed them in their unbelief, knowing that their hearts were closed.
This example is crucial for us as believers today. Often, in our desire to share the truth, we may find ourselves caught up in debates with those who are determined not to believe. We may feel a need to prove our point, to change someone’s mind, or to win an argument. But that’s not the example that Jesus sets for us. He didn’t come to fight for a win in a debate—He came to preach the gospel to open hearts.
As we share the message of Christ, it’s important that we focus on those who are ready to hear, not those who are simply looking for an argument. When we engage in ministry, we should be mindful of our calling to preach the truth, not to get caught up in unnecessary disputes. The reality is that there are many hearts out there who are open and ready to receive the gospel, and our energy should be focused on them.
This doesn’t mean that we should shy away from addressing tough questions or answering challenges to our faith. But it does mean that we should not invest all of our time trying to convince someone whose heart is closed off to the truth. Jesus understood that He wasn’t there to win over every skeptic, and neither are we. As believers, we are called to share the message of salvation with a heart of compassion, focusing on those who are open to hearing the truth.
A shepherd knows when to protect the flock from danger. If a wolf enters the fold, the shepherd doesn’t waste time trying to convince the wolf to become a sheep. The wolf is not interested in becoming part of the flock, and the shepherd knows it’s his responsibility to protect the sheep from harm. Similarly, we, as the shepherds of God’s word, should focus on nurturing and guiding those who are open to the truth, not engaging in fruitless debates with those who are determined to reject it.
My intention here isn’t to be unloving to anyone, but remember, the Pharisees were not God’s people. They didn’t come to Jesus seeking truth. They came seeking His destruction. If you go out and boldly proclaim the Gospel, you may encounter wolves hiding amongst the flock, just like Jesus did. I don’t mean to frighten you, but you need to be aware. They will claim, just as the Pharisees did, to be the real truth about God, and if you engage them in debate, they will talk you in endless circles, wasting time that is precious to your flock. Dismiss the wolf. Tend to your flock.
In a world full of distractions and debates, let us remember the example of Christ. We are called to preach the truth in love, not to engage in arguments. When we focus on sharing the gospel with open hearts, we are fulfilling our purpose as believers. Let us not get caught up in debates, but instead, let us be faithful to the message we have been given, knowing that God will take care of the rest.
As we go out into the world, let’s keep our eyes on the mission: to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ to those who are ready to hear. And when we encounter opposition, let’s remember that we are called to be faithful, not to win arguments. Just like Jesus, let us preach to the open hearts and leave the rest in God’s hands.
