Letting Jesus Mentor Us

Eric Owens
Minister
Round Rock, TX

“A mentor is a trusted counselor or guide who provides advice and support, often in a professional or academic context. They help individuals grow and develop by sharing their knowledge and experience.” Given this definition of the word mentor, it would be impossible to do better than to let Jesus mentor us.

Jesus Is Qualified to Mentor Us

The birth of Christ was prophesied (Isaiah 7:14). When the prophecy was fulfilled these words were used. “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:22-23). When we let Jesus mentor us, we are allowing God to mentor us.

Jesus Came to Mentor Us

Another prophecy about our Lord’s coming is that He would build God’s house. This means God would have a household or children in his family (Ephesians 3:15; 1 Timothy 3:15). Speaking of Christ coming to build God’s house, Isaiah also said He would do something very specific when He came: He would mentor us.

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:2-3).

Note the very important phrase, “He will teach us of his ways.” Christ came to teach us the ways of God. He is God with us and He will teach us of his ways. If we are disciples of Christ or Christians we are learners and Christ is our teacher.

Jesus Invites Us to Be Mentored

Amazingly, Christ is both teacher and subject to be learned. Christ invites sinners to lay down their burdens and come to Him for mentoring and relief. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Consider the kindness and graciousness of God. The Divine nature took on flesh. He came to earth and became one of us (John 1:14). He is God with us, He came to teach us His ways and invites us to come learn of Him (Acts 17:27).

Jesus’ Record of Mentoring

The apostles and early disciples were mentored by Jesus. When Peter and John’s bold stance for truth was noticed, Christ’s mentoring was evidenced. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

Their inspired writings gave evidence to Christ’s mentorship. Luke wrote, “That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed” (Luke 1:4). The things we needed certainty in believing was the life of Christ. “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach” (Acts 1:1).

How Can Jesus Mentor Us?

The last phrase of Acts 1:1, tells us how Christ mentors; all that Jesus did and taught. We have the life and teaching of Christ recorded for us in Scripture. Every time we come to Scripture we can be mentored by Jesus. His actions are the perfect example to emulate. His teachings are the words to conform our lives to, yield our spirits to, and obey.

Anything Christ did as it pertains to life and godliness is the thing we should learn and do. Any characteristic Christ possessed and demonstrated is that which we should make a part of our character. His thoughts must become our thoughts (Philippians 2:5). His words must become our words (John 6:63, 68). His deeds must become our deeds (1 Peter 2:21-25).

Jesus is the definitive answer and example of every subject for life. Whatever He did or whatever He taught, is the answer. If you will live the abundant life you desire, Jesus came to give it to you (John 10:10). If you will be saved, Jesus is your Savior (Matthew 1:23). If you desire to have peace with God, Jesus is your peace (Ephesians 2:16). If you desire to have a great marriage, Jesus is the perfect husband (Ephesians 5:22-33).

Jesus came to earth, God with us. Jesus came to teach us His ways. Jesus invites us to come to Him and learn of Him. But Jesus will not force His mentorship on anyone. We must let Jesus mentor us. It is either the greatest picture ever painted or the saddest picture ever painted, the answer depends on us.

Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20). Jesus is knocking on the door of our hearts, He desires to be our mentor. Let us make the most important decision of life and let Jesus mentor us.