Jesus meets our greatest needs
Text: Matthew 8:18-23
Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs”
This psychological concept was presented by American psychologist, Abraham Maslow in 1943. Depicted as a pyramid, he proposed that our physiological or physical needs are the foundational layers in the human psyche and unless these layers of needs are met, the others are not as big a concern. He asserted that each added need is only pursued once the layers beneath it are adequately fulfilled. Note that the top three layers represent our
psychological/social/relational needs. The chart’s layers progress upward from survival (the foundation) to personal fulfillment (at the top). We generally won’t pursue personal fulfillment if lesser needs
have not been met.
Consider this: HOW FAITHFULLY WE FOLLOW JESUS IS A REFLECTION OF THE HIGHEST NEED HE MEETS
IN OUR LIVES.
Jesus wants to meet your greatest need
Your need for survival/sustenance
Your need for safety and security
Your need for love and belonging
Your need for self-esteem
Your need for self-actualization
1. Matthew reported how Jesus had met many physical needs. The leper was cleansed, a servant was healed, a fever was cured, and demons were cast out. (Matthew 8:2-17)
Jesus met the pressing need of the moment
for life, health, and survival.
2. In verses (19-20) Jesus addresses a man
that professes his preparedness to follow
Jesus anywhere. Jesus warns him that safety
and security on this earth is not the need that
He is most concerned about meeting. Earthly
safety is not guaranteed (19-20) Heavenly
safety and security IS guaranteed!
3. Then Jesus addresses a man that wants to
put off following Jesus till later in verses 21-22
Perhaps his father is ailing, or he just wants to
wait to get his inheritance before committing
to follow Jesus. But Jesus offers a far greater
and deeper relationship of sincere love and
belonging to those who commit to truly
following Him. That community of followers
where you can experience the love and sense
of belonging is often called “the church;” it’s
the people, not a building that is important.
4. We all want to feel good about ourselves,
but first we must come to the end of ourselves
and understand that it is not our worthiness
that attracts the love of God. Instead, when
God chooses us despite our unworthiness,
we become a testimony of His greatness and
grace. We are the trophies of God’s grace that
bring Him great glory! Our self-esteem is that
we get to be called children of God. He chose
me to be His child. Think of how Jesus taught
His disciples to pray: “OUR Father”Jesus infers
that we relate to the Father in the same way
HE does, as a child beloved of the Father!
What more do you need to feel a sense of
esteem and value?
5. Self-actualization: ultimate personal fulfill-
ment. It is not to be found in the accumulation
of wealth, or a multitude of achievements or
successes, or even feats of skill and heroics.
There will always be someone who has done
more or done better. Fulfillment is not “getting
to the top,” in fact the likelihood of you getting
to the top in ANYTHING is about 1 in 7 billion!
Personal fulfillment is contentment in the
circumstances of life, and joy in what you
believe God is doing in you and through
your life.
You can feel this way if you believe that
GOD’S PURPOSE FOR YOU is being daily
accomplished in your life.
The potential for your greatest fulfillment
in life is realized when you follow Jesus.
When He got into the boat, HIS
DISCIPLES FOLLOWED HIM. (V. 23)
Their fundamental need for survival
was threatened by a storm. (V. 24)
They feared they would die. (V. 25)
They witnessed the power of God
manifested through Jesus to calm
a life-threatening storm! (V. 26)
They were amazed, and said, “What kind of man is this, that even the winds
and the sea obey Him?” (V. 27)
They had a life-changing experience.
They were personal witnesses to the
awesome power of God in Jesus.
Jesus continued to surprise them again
and again with what He could do, and
ultimately surprised them most when
He rose from the grave.
What do you want Jesus to do in your life
today? What need do you want Him to fulfill?
Are you willing to follow Him, trusting that He will fulfill all your needs?
Today for some of you, your greatest need
is to recognize that Jesus came to save you
from the wrath of God against your sin.
Jesus has already done everything to save you
from God’s wrath against sin. He hung on
the cross and received the wrath of God
against your sin upon Himself.
Do you believe this?
Does this ring true in your soul?
Then, place your trust in Him, and in what He
did and you will be saved from God’s wrath.
Then, you will be born again by His Spirit and
you will be recreated as His child.