I’m so challenged how Jesus kept the ultimate objective and passed it on to the disciples and to us today us as a church (His people).
The Life of Jesus
When we look at the character of Jesus and his life on earth we see someone that came with a mission and a purpose. He was sent by God to save -- that’s why we call him Saviour!
His mission was to accomplish the following:
His Mission | Scripture |
- To be equipped and prepared by studying the law - To equip the Saints for good works (Serve) and ministry - To share the Gospel with no compromise - To fulfil the prophesy given by the Lord to Isaiah | - Luke 2:46-47 - Matthew 20:28 - Mark 4 :1-2 - Isaiah 61 |
Jesus was a faithful man due to the accomplishment of his mission (John 17:4) “I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.” When I read this passage I asked myself, what will help me to utter the same words that Jesus spoke? What rings in my heart is passion and focusing on the ultimate God-given mission. With all the happenings in this world it makes the focusing process difficult, but nevertheless God has told us through his Word not to worry (Matthew 6: 20-36). This does not mean that everyone must leave their job and go for full-time ministry. You can do ministry and equip within your working environment. I call that true outreach. If we remain in Him, He will remain in us.
What is His desire?
In His prayer in John 17 He mentions these words, "I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.’’
Jesus desires that you and I should be in Him just as He is in the Father, meaning have a deep relationship with him. He doesn’t just want us only but he wants everyone, even those who will believe through our words (the gospel which we utter). I believe if we can make these three things a priority share the gospel, equip the saints (mentorship), and serve the world will be different. This is not something to be done in full time ministry only; it is applicable in our work place as well. We shouldn’t be a religion but we must show the world that it is a lifestyle. For something to be a lifestyle it needs to be applied through a day by day standard of living.
The Ultimate God given mission is still the same as when it was given to Jesus, disciples, our forefathers and us today. Nothing has changed except the fact that the world has wooed us with money, power, fame and materials have become our ultimate mission. These things must not replace Jesus or else we should come back to the drawing board. The reason I am sharing this blog with you is because I want to remind us that wherever we are God has placed us there for the purpose of His glory. He gives us our heart desires so that we can make him known.
Brothers, sisters, and family in Christ, let us focus on the Father’s mission. As Paul says in Romans 12:1-2, “I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age (some translations say “the patterns of this world”) but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Remain on the ultimate God-given mission because our life has a purpose in this world.
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| Rembrandt's "Woman Taken in Adultery" |
With Love
The Bakers
