MINISTERS TO JESUS

Ariel Romero Lopez

What is our role when we find ourselves face to face with Jesus? If we look at the biblical account where a grateful woman, being before the Lord, “broke the flask and poured it on His head” (Mark 14:3), we can understand that our role is to be “ministers to Jesus.” And what a privilege it is to know that we can all learn to be one!

Today, just as yesterday, the Lord has a place prepared for us at His table… and there is a place reserved particularly for you. Since He fills us with so many blessings, it is an honor for us to be able to give Him constant joy through our devotion.

But a question arises in the heart: is it possible that we, being so small, can actually impart something of value to the One who is the owner of everything?

JESUS MINISTERED

In the Gospels, we see Jesus, most of the time, serving others. In fact, He came primarily to give His own life as a ransom for many. However, during His earthly walk, the Lord also experienced the need to be ministered to by others in His humanity, especially in the most difficult moments as the time of His death approached.

Here are several cases in which the Master was ministered to in various ways, and from which we can learn precious lessons:

A) AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS MINISTRY: He was ministered to by angels after the temptation. “Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him” (Matthew 4:11).

B) DURING HIS MINISTRY: He was served by women who, out of love, placed their goods at His disposal. Scripture mentions “Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance” (Luke 8:3).

C) AT THE END OF HIS MINISTRY: In His last week of life, there were three incidents in which we see that the Lord allowed Himself to be ministered to and was comforted by what others provided:

• He sought the warmth of friendship in Bethany, at the home of His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.
• He received strength from an angel in Gethsemane. “Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him” (Luke 22:43).
• He received the anointing of the alabaster flask. “A woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table” (Matthew 26:7).

WHAT COULD GOD NEED?

Have you ever thought that God doesn’t need anything? That He is so complete that He does not require anything from you? It is true that God, in His essence, is self-sufficient, but in His love, He needs someone. He does not look for things, but for people; because love, by nature, needs someone to express itself to, someone to give to, and someone to receive from in a deep relational experience.

Sometimes, our human problem is that we do not know well how to give or receive true love. We are held back by prejudices: the fear of how the other person will feel or how we will look. Let us not allow those barriers to prevent us from ministering to our Lord.

THE ALABASTER

Jesus did not look unfavorably upon that woman investing something of great cost in Him, even though some called it a “waste” (Matthew 26:8). He taught that, although there would always be needs to attend to, it was proper and beautiful to honor the Master and invest in Him.

God’s work will never stop, that is certain. But I invite you to take advantage when Jesus “passes before you”—when you feel His presence near—and always give Him the best of your life (Genesis 4:4).

A UNIQUE GIFT

Some time ago, at a Christmas party, I saw a friend who did not have many resources. In the gift exchange, he gave his sister-in-law a beautiful sculpture handmade by himself. It was a unique piece that captivated everyone. She was a woman who had everything, and he had almost nothing. But his words were unforgettable: “What can you give to a woman who has everything? I could only make her this sculpture.”

That is how our relationship with God is. We do not impress Him with quantity, but with the heart and the effort with which we give, with the pleasure of offering Him something that is born from within us.

CHILDREN IMPARTING TO THE FATHER

Many of us come to church every Sunday expecting God to minister to us. We look for answers and long for His touch. But there is a dimension beyond that: the dimension of giving.

In Acts 13:2 we read that while the prophets and teachers “ministered to the Lord and fasted,” the Holy Spirit spoke. This teaches us that before receiving, we must have the intention to give. Could it be that sometimes we are not powerfully ministered to because we have reversed the order of our encounter with Him? Let us remember that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Think of the relationship between a father and his son. Although the father takes care of the child, how much joy and motivation he receives from the little one! In the same way, we awaken emotions in God.

• He yearns for us jealously (James 4:5).
• He surrounds us with songs of deliverance (Psalm 32:7).
• He is moved to compassion upon seeing us (Luke 10:33).
• He keeps us as the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8).

HOW CAN WE MINISTER TO HIM TODAY?

We can impart joy to the Lord in various ways:

• SERVING IN HIS TEMPLE: Standing before Him to bless His name (Deuteronomy 10:8; 1 Samuel 3:1).
• GIVING TO HIS WORK: Our offerings are like a sweet-smelling aroma before Him (Malachi 3:10; Philippians 4:18).
• PRAISING AND GIVING THANKS: Entering His courts with gratitude (1 Chronicles 16:4; Psalm 100:4).
• PRAYING: Our prayers are like incense in golden bowls before His throne (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4).

PROVOKING A SMILE FROM GOD

Finally, there are three things that comfort the Father’s heart:

1. UPRIGHT CONDUCT: Presenting ourselves as a living and holy sacrifice (Romans 12:1).
2. DISCIPLING OTHERS: Taking care of His sheep is a proof of our love for Him (John 21:17).
3. OBEYING HIS WORD: For to obey is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22; Isaiah 66:2).

Dear brother, what feelings do we provoke in Jesus? Let us not be among those who grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), but among those who, like the prophetess Anna, do not depart from His presence, serving Him day and night.

Minister to Jesus today. Sing to Him, worship Him, and offer Him that “sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).