Jesus Invested In People Through Love And Sacrifice

Jesus invested in other people by spending time with them, teaching them, and modelling how to serve others. He prioritised his time with his disciples, often pulling away from the crowds to be with them and teach them. Jesus chose 12 apostles to invest in deeply, and he also had a broader group of disciples, including women, who followed and supported him. Jesus modelled a servant philosophy, slowing down to meet people's needs and showing compassion. He taught his followers to consider others more important than themselves and to serve with compassion, not for compensation.

Jesus invested in people regardless of their social status

Jesus taught that all people were important, and he showed love to all who called upon his name. He did not discriminate based on social status or gender, and he was friends with tax collectors and sinners. He taught that the kingdom of God was open to all, and that salvation was given to those who were poor in themselves, not necessarily in a material sense.

Jesus taught his followers to be generous with their money and to invest it in God's kingdom. He told them to sell their possessions and give to the needy, and to lay up treasures in heaven, not on earth. He also taught them to be content with what they had and not to worship wealth, but to worship God with their wealth.

Jesus invested time in his team

Jesus's team was made up of both men and women. While the twelve apostles were all men, Jesus travelled with a group that included women disciples, such as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, Mary and Martha of Bethany, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. These women were not just supporting cast members; they provided financial support, travelled with Jesus, and were among his closest friends and disciples.

Jesus's investment in his team was purposeful. He spent time with his disciples, teaching them what Kingdom-life looked like, and debriefing after intense times of ministry. He chose his twelve apostles through prayer, selecting those who had proven themselves in both ministry competency and courage. Jesus invested in his disciples relationally, calling them to follow him, and he spent the majority of his time with them.

Jesus also modelled servant leadership to his disciples. He slowed down and allowed his schedule to be interrupted for an eternal investment. He embraced a servant philosophy, considering others as more important than himself. He demonstrated amazing love to all who called upon his name, showing no favouritism.

Jesus invested in his female disciples

Jesus travelled with a group of male and female disciples, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and "many others". These women were not just supporting cast members but were among those who followed Jesus from the start of his ministry all the way to the cross. They provided financial support for Jesus' work, which was significant as few women in the ancient world possessed wealth.

Jesus also chose to reveal himself to his female disciples first after his resurrection, indicating their importance in the establishment of the early church.

In addition, Jesus affirmed the role of women as disciples and leaders. For example, when Jesus' family appeared and asked to speak with him, he replied:

> "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" And stretching out his hand towards his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

According to Middle Eastern customs, Jesus could not have been referring to a crowd of men but rather a crowd of both men and women. This implies that the disciples standing before him were composed of men and women, and that he viewed them as equals.

Jesus also challenged cultural norms by allowing women to take on roles traditionally reserved for men. For example, Mary of Bethany sat at Jesus' feet and listened to his teaching, a role typically reserved for men. When her sister Martha complained, Jesus defended Mary's choice, saying:

> "Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Jesus' inclusion and affirmation of his female disciples demonstrate his investment in them and his willingness to confront the misogyny and patriarchy of his day.

Jesus invested in a few, chosen disciples

Jesus spent time with the crowds, but he also spent time with "the few". He had at least 72 disciples in Luke 10, and 120 in the upper room in Acts 1:15. However, Jesus made the intentional decision to invest in a few disciples, the 12 apostles, who would become the leaders of his disciple-making movement.

Jesus chose the 12 apostles through prayer, selecting those who had proven themselves in both ministry competency and courage. He spent time with them, taught them, and sent them out to preach. He addressed both the internal and external spiritual warfare issues they would face, knowing that they would need courage to face opposition and persecution.

Jesus practiced proximity and consistency with his disciples. He spent "more" time with them, indicating that this was not a one-time occurrence but a deliberate choice to invest in them relationally. He also protected his privacy with them as his popularity increased.

Jesus' investment in his disciples was purposeful and driven by a desire to see them grow and succeed. He understood the long-term ramifications of failing to invest in them properly. By investing in a few, chosen disciples, Jesus was able to build a strong foundation for his disciple-making movement.

Jesus invested in people by teaching them

Jesus was a Rabbi, and as such, he was a teacher. He invested in people by sharing his knowledge with them. This is evident in the numerous parables he told, which were a common teaching method at the time.

Jesus spent time with his disciples, teaching them about the importance of servant leadership and what Kingdom-life looked like. He also taught them about spiritual warfare, both internal and external, and how to resist the devil. The bulk of Jesus' recorded teachings occurred during the last 15 months of his life, when he spent extended periods of time with his 12 apostles, or "the few."

Jesus also taught through his actions. For example, he demonstrated the importance of slowing down and embracing a servant philosophy by stopping to help two blind men on the Jericho road, even though he was leaving Jericho and had another appointment to get to. This act of compassion showed that Jesus noticed and valued all people, regardless of their social standing.

Jesus' teachings extended beyond his immediate circle of followers. He often taught large crowds, which included both men and women. He also taught through parables, which were accessible to a wider audience.

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