Be Approachable
A couple of everyday sayings draw our attention to an apparent truism: “Like attracts like,” and “Birds of a feather flock together.” In any large group of people who are able to mix freely, individuals will tend to sort themselves into sub-groups which reflect similarities in taste, preferences, interests, social standing and the like. Often this is done entirely unconsciously. We may be unaware of this until someone who is different tries to connect. Then our similarities with those with whom we’ve associated become more apparent.
People with similar senses of humour gravitate to the same comedians. People with similar political perspectives tend to listen to the same talk-show programs. People with similar tastes in music can be found at the same concerts.
One of the things that stands out about Jesus is His approachability. A wide spectrum of people were attracted to Him. More than that, they acted on that attraction and drew near to Him, sometimes following Him for days at a time as He travelled slowly through the countryside with an entourage of hangers-on.
Notice, with me, that Jesus was the centre of attention, not just to others who were like Him (I’m referring specifically to other religious teachers of the day) but to various groups which typically had no interest in drawing close to such persons. Here’s a little list:
- There were the Pharisees, like Nicodemus, who paid a nocturnal visit to Jesus recorded in John 3.
- Tax collectors were despised by the good folk of their day and shunned in polite company, yet we find men like Zaccheus interacting with Jesus (see Luke 19).
- In Jesus’ time, those who were disabled, disfigured, or in any way considered “abnormal” were close to the bottom of the social heap. They knew enough to steer clear of the higher classes except to beg for alms. Yet we find the halt the lame and the blind strangely attracted to Jesus, and being received warmly by Him. The two blind men in Matthew 9 are examples of many.
- In general, in first-century Israel, women formed a separate social class. Of course there was a range within that larger demographic, but we find women across the spectrum following Jesus. At least one, Joanna, was connected to Herod’s royal court. Others had less savoury reputations, such as the nameless woman of Luke 7.
- In Matthew 18 and 19 we find children and their parents approaching Jesus as Him welcoming them and holding them up as positive examples. Even within the closest circle of His disciples we find a range of interests, attitudes and social standings.
On more than one occasion Jesus proclaimed invitations to approach and know Him. An outstanding example comes in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” But people didn’t just respond to His words, they responded to Him.
As we seek to be like Jesus, we must be ready for the people God brings crashing into our lives presenting us with opportunities to be open and approachable as Jesus was or staying safe, closed and comfortable in our own little world.
