(By: Christopher Powell)
All Previous Posts in this Series

In our previous posts in this series we have looked at how evangelism in the Bible – the process of proclaiming the biblical truth about man’s need to repent from his sins and believe in the Saviour – appears to differ from many current techniques.   We have been looking specifically at how Jesus evangelized in one incident with the Rich Young Ruler (RYR).  The first thing about the encounter that I believe is essential to notice is that:

Jesus Actually Cared about the Person

I know this sounds like a really obvious one, but, a lot of books, tracts and materials that I have read out there treat unbelievers as little more than notches just waiting to be put on some great big evangelistic belt.  The goal is to get it all out in one 5 minute encounter.  The reality is, of course, much different.  People are messy and complicated.  It is rare that there aren’t some serious rabbit trails in the conversations you will have and sometimes you don’t get to finish what you would like to say.   I remember a conversation I had in a coffee shop from a man (a yoga instructor, actually) where he took my literature and was railing about the exclusivity of the Gospel as he had heard it at another evangelical church.  I listened, patiently, but, before I could get a word in edgewise, he had to go on.  I strongly suspect that he would not have taken the literature had he known that I agreed with what he had heard elsewhere, but, I didn’t get a chance to tell him.  It was a bit frustrating because our conversation was cut short and there were lots of points I wanted to interact over, but, on the bright side, he did walk away with Gospel literature to read.

An active listener can more helpfully discern how best to proclaim the Gospel.  Notice how Jesus dealt with the young man – v.18 -  He listened.  Simple, but effective.  Before Jesus challenged the RYR he listened to what he said.   Jesus’ first word to the RYR is based on what the RYR said to him.  Picking up on the phrase “good teacher” Jesus challenges the RYR with: “Why do you call me good?  No one is good except God alone”

I think sometimes we get so focused on getting the message out that we forget that the person we’re interacting with is a fellow human being made in the image of God with all the wondrous design and complexity that entails.  We need to treat them with respect as per 1 Peter 3:15 by listening to what they say.   We need to pray that God would aid our ears to help us discern how to apply Gospel first aid.    Jesus did that and with remarkable effectiveness cut to the heart of the problem -  Jesus was talking to a man who had no idea that he was anything else but a human rabbi.  In listening to him, Jesus discerned that the man’s (somewhat fawning) pious talk needed to be dealt with immediately.  Jesus was after the self-righteousness that thinks you can make yourself “good” and acceptable to God.  He is seeking to challenge this man’s whole concept of moral goodness.[Tim Keller's Study Guide on Mark]

Next week, we’ll examine exactly how  Jesus challenged him on moral goodness.   But, one final thing to think about is the powerful phrase that appears later in the conversation: “Jesus, looking at him, loved him..”   If you’re a Christian, thinking back to your last conversation with an unbeliever – ask yourself how love figured in.  The love of Christ is what distinguishes us.  It enables us to patiently listen, boldly apply and caringly interact.  May I encourage you to pray that you and I will demonstrate the reality of this love in our interactions this week.

***Prayer Request:  tonight our church begins a new outreach Bible study in the book of Mark.  We’re encouraging folks new to the church and others to come and to invite their non-Christian friends.  Please pray that God would increase the effectiveness of our witness and that we would see folks come to know the love and power of Jesus Christ.  And, if you’re in Toronto, feel free to contact us and let us know you’d like to come!