Jesus the Innovator

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL BY PATRICE TSAGUE

What made Jesus an innovator?
How did He innovate?
What can we learn from the Master? 

Jesus the Innovator

Although the seed of Christianity was planted in the Garden of Eden through “the first Adam” after Adam and Eve committed high treason and disobeyed God’s instructions, it was generations before redemption came into the world through the birth of Jesus Christ, the “last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45). Before the arrival of Jesus on the ministry scene of Jerusalem and Nazareth, the nation of Israel was experiencing a crisis of faith and hope. 

Largely due to their own disobedience, the people had lost touch with their Creator. Until John the Baptist, who announced the coming of the Messiah, God had not spoken to His people through a prophet for 400 years. The spiritual leaders were practicing a form of Godliness but lacking in power. At the time of Christ, Israel had been occupied by the Greeks since 332 BC and then by Rome since 63 BC. Israel had lost its way as a nation and must have been wondering how and when the promises of God were ever going to be fulfilled. 

In spite of the multitude of prophecies regarding Jesus, the Jews did not immediately recognize Him when He was born and walked amongst them. He did not look, act, or sound like the rabbis (religious leaders and teachers) of His time. However, although only 3½ years in length, the impact of Jesus’ ministry was so great that it birthed a movement known as Christianity. It is important to note that Jesus did not come to abolish Judaism but to fulfill its promises. 

Although its roots are based in Judaism, Christianity today has become the largest spiritual movement in the world. How did Jesus do it? How was He able to single-handedly spark this global movement?

Jesus did things differently than other rabbis and leaders of His time. 

Here are seven things Jesus did to innovate: 

1. He was different and bold. Jesus did not approach ministry like other rabbis and priests of His day. He taught as one having authority and approached the Scriptures differently. He spoke more about the Kingdom of God and eternal life than about the law. Don’t be afraid to be different and boldly demonstrate your uniqueness.
   
   And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. – Matthew 7:28-29 (NKJV)
   
   
2. He was Holy Spirit-led. Jesus was not ashamed of the fact that the Holy Spirit was leading Him. He relied on and tapped into the Holy Spirit for direction and wisdom. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to new ideas and insights.
   
   “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” – Luke 4:18 (NKJV)
   
   
3. He was people-focused. He recognized that His purpose was to preach the Gospel, with signs and wonders following, and so He focussed on that. He understood that the Law was made for the people, not the people for the Law. He focused on demonstrating the principles of the Kingdom of God by meeting the spiritual and physical needs of the people. Innovations come as we try to improve the lives of our customers.
   
   And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. – Mark 3:1-4 (NKJV)
   
   
4. He took the long view. Jesus understood that His ultimate reward was that when His mission was complete, all of humanity would have the opportunity for redemption because of His sacrifice, and that He would return to His place seated at the right hand of God the Father. He did not take shortcuts or try to avoid the cost of his calling, but rather He focused on the long-term reward for humanity. Do not compromise your long-term prospects for short-term gain, but rather focus on the long-term rewards.
   
   Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” – John 18:36 (NKJV)
   
   
5. He was resourceful. Jesus always used the little He had to make the most out of it. He did not focus on what He did not have but rather on what He had, and trusted God to use it to take care of whatever He and those around Him needed. There is a concept called Frugal Innovation, which means responding to market needs in the simplest, efficient, and most cost-effective ways possible. Be a frugal innovator and use what you have to make things better for your business and customers.
   
   When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” He said, “Bring them here to Me.” – Matthew 14:13-18 (NKJV)
   
   
6. He took risks. Jesus was not afraid to risk His life or reputation to fulfill His mission. He did whatever He had to do – as long as it did not violate the will of His Father. Take risks and do what you must to be innovative. Remember, “no pain no gain”.
   
   Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” – Mark 2:15-16 (NKJV)
   
   
7. He was diligent and worked hard. Jesus was always about His father’s business and was committed to doing whatever it took to accomplish it. Being innovative takes work – it is not for the lazy. Be committed to putting in the time and doing whatever it takes to innovate your business.
   
   Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” – John 4:34 (NKJV)
   
   “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” – John 9:4 (NKJV)
   

How committed are you to innovating your business to increase your top and bottom line so that you can advance the Kingdom of God in the marketplace? Follow Jesus’ example and innovate not just in your business but in your life as well. The key is to abide in the vine (John 15) and to have your mind continually renewed by the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:2). As you look to the Source of all innovation, be prepared to receive great things from God so that you can do great things for Him.

My prayer for you today is that God will give you the wisdom to innovate as Jesus did so that you can glorify Him in the marketplace.