Success in God's Eyes: Lessons from Jesus' Ministry (Luke 4: 14-21) 01.26.2025
- Pastor Jin
- Jan 26
- 3 min read
When I was young, I was an adventurous child, always seeking challenges that others
wouldn’t attempt. I remember traveling alone across Busan on a circular-route bus at the age of six or seven. I also enjoyed climbing mountains, often choosing unfamiliar paths. Many times, I ended up hurt or lost, but despite my fears, an unexplainable courage always arose within me, guiding me forward.
In middle school, I struggled academically. Yet, whenever I set a goal, I pursued it with relentless effort. Out of a hundred attempts, I might succeed only once, but I kept going for that one success. However, there were also times when I failed despite my hardest efforts. Have you ever achieved everything you wanted? Have you obtained everything you desired, whether through ease or hard work? I believe no one has. And have you ever been so afraid of failure that you avoided trying altogether? I have—more than once. There were even periods when I stayed in my room for months, doing nothing, consumed by the fear of failing again. But if I had let that fear define me, I would not be where I am today.
The Start of Jesus’ Public Ministry
Today's Scripture passage, Luke 4:14-21, is often seen as the official beginning of Jesus'
public ministry. However, I believe His ministry did not begin at this moment. By this time, Jesus had already performed miracles, faced Satan’s temptations in the wilderness, and gained a reputation. Verse 16 states, “He went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day, He went into the synagogue, as was His custom.” This shows that Jesus had already been engaged in teaching and ministering before this moment.
Yet, do you know what Jesus encountered at the start of His formal ministry? Rejection.
Despite spending His life teaching, loving, and preparing to reveal His identity to His
hometown, His first public response was failure. His own people not only rejected Him but even sought to kill Him.
When Passion Meets Rejection
How would you feel if, after dedicating your life to serving, loving, and preparing for
something with all your heart, you were dismissed or unappreciated? Imagine being let go from a job where you had given your best years, or having your deepest efforts go unnoticed. Would you not feel anger, sorrow, or disappointment?
Jesus, after all His preparation, faced immediate rejection from those He likely hoped would support Him. But was this truly a failure?
Defining True Success
In my own ministry, I have experienced similar moments of disappointment. While serving in Georgia, I poured my energy into feeding the hungry, distributing clothes, and teaching English to immigrants. Yet, only a few returned to the church. At times, I felt discouraged. Then the Lord asked me, “What were you hoping for when you served them?” That question struck me. I realized that my focus had shifted from simply demonstrating God's love to measuring success through numbers. By human standards, my ministry seemed like a failure. But in God's eyes, was it truly a failure?
No. As long as we serve with love, the work is never in vain.
Some might see Jesus' rejection in Nazareth as a failure. But do we, as believers, consider it a failure? No, because Jesus continued His mission, loving and teaching even those who rejected Him. He ultimately gave His life on the cross for them. What appeared to be failure was, in reality, the greatest victory.
There Is No Failure in God’s Work
To the world, the ministries of Jesus' disciples might have seemed like failures. Most of them faced martyrdom. Yet, we do not see their work as failure but as a glorious triumph that spread the Gospel across the world. In God’s work, there is no failure—only purpose.
Jesus declares in Luke 4:21, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” His mission
was already accomplished the moment He declared it. Likewise, the moment we dedicate ourselves to God’s work, we have already succeeded.
There will be times when results are not as we expect. We may not see the growth we desire.
But do not let fear or past experiences hold you back. Do not say, “I’ve tried before, and it didn’t work.” Our ministry is not about visible results—it is about faithfully sharing God’s love.
Conclusion: Serve Without Fear
As we serve, let us focus on conveying God’s love rather than measuring success by human standards. When we serve with pure intentions, every act of love, every word of
encouragement, and every sacrifice is a success in God’s eyes. Let us be bold. Let us love and serve without fear of rejection or failure. Because in God's
work, success is already assured.
