Do we have eyes like Jesus? When we see multitudes what do we see? Are we moved with compassion? Such compassion motivated Jesus to do two things. First, to ask His disciples to pray that God might "send out laborers into His harvest" (Matthew 9:37-38). Then, He did something about it Himself (He selected and sent out His disciples - Matthew 10:1,5-7). Jesus also had...

2. A SENSE OF PURPOSE
This motivating force is seen in our Lord's conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. While speaking with her, his disciples marveled at what His motive might be (John 4:27). Jesus explained His purpose was:

John 4:34

"To do the will of Him who sent Me...to accomplish His work"

He stated this same purpose in life many other times (John 5:30; John 6:38; John 17:4; John 19:28-30). And what was the will of His Father? To save a dying world (John 3:16). To "seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10). Do we have this same "sense of purpose" in our lives? To put first the Father's will? Jesus taught that we should (Matthew 6:10,33). But people often have "DIFFERENT PURPOSES" for living. The "workaholics" make their jobs their purpose in life. Many make their families, friends or hobbies the reason for living. But our purpose should be "to do the will of Him who" sends you ... "to accomplish His work." This is why Jesus shared the gospel. It is why we should as well. Another force that moved our Lord was...

3. A LOVE OF THE FATHER
Jesus had experienced

John 15:9

"the love of the Father"

which prompted Him to love others. But it went beyond that. This "love" was such that He wanted to share it with others (John 17:26), even if He had to go the cross to make it possible!

Have we experienced "the love of the Father" in our lives? If so, how can we not be moved (motivated) to want to share it with others? The way to experience the Father's love is to "KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS" (John 14:21,23). A most important commandment in this regard is the one to love one another as Christ loved us (John 15:12). This is because loving one another is crucial to experiencing the love of the Father in our lives. As John wrote: "If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us" (1 John 4:12).

Have we experienced the Father's love by loving Jesus and keeping His commandments (esp. loving one another)? If not, we will not have much worth sharing, nor be motivated to share it! We can also add to our list of the things that motivated Jesus...

4. A TERROR OF THE LORD
Jesus was very much aware of God's "righteous indignation". He spent more time talking about hell than he did of heaven. He taught that we should "fear" God (Matthew 10:28). He warned of the judgment to come (Mark 9:43-48). Knowing the "terror of the Lord", Jesus was willing to go to the cross that man might be saved. He even prayed for those crucifying Him (Luke 23:34).

Are we willing to make the effort to see others saved, like Jesus did? We may not have to die for them... But are we even willing to speak to them? Or could it be that we don't take the "terror of the Lord" as serious as Jesus' early disciples did (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:11)?

Have we, like many, forgotten that there will be a day of judgment and condemnation? Do we lack concern and involvement in trying to reach the lost for Christ? Finally, we see that the Lord was moved by...

5. THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM As expressed by the writer of Hebrews (Hebrews 12:2), Jesus was motivated by the joy of being with His Father, at His right hand. This is what enabled Him to "endure the cross" and "despise the shame". Does not the knowledge of spending eternity with God move us to do what we can to see souls saved?

Since Jesus is the "AUTHOR" and "FINISHER" of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), we should be "looking unto Jesus" for the motivation we need to do His will. We should "consider Him" (Hebrews 12:3), lest we become weary and discouraged in doing God's will. I am convinced the early church looked to Jesus, and found the motivation necessary to grow as they did. I believe that we can do the same today!

Why do you witness? Why do you NOT witness? Do you have (1) a compassion for the lost? Do you have (2) a sense of purpose, to do what God wants? To accomplish His work? Do you have (3) a love of the Father? Do you have (4) a terror of the Lord? A realization of what will happen to those who die without Christ? And finally do you have (5) the joy of the Lord set before you? If you do it will bring great joy to your heart to bring others to Jesus.

by Steve Nicholes
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