Again, he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” John 20:21 NLT
Among Jesus’ last words to His disciples for all time is the empowering commission. He values us and trusts us with the mission! As the Father sent Him into the world, He is sending us! We are to live as sent ones in the needy world for which He died. Living as sent means that you follow Jesus every day with primary awareness and intentionality. “I am never off the clock. I am every moment, every day, everywhere living, loving, and serving like Jesus.”
Jesus followed the Father’s agenda. When I am like Jesus, I realize I am here in order to do GOD’s WILL, not my own. Not begrudgingly but joyfully I choose to follow His plans.
Jesus knew He was here for a positive purpose. He said repeatedly that He came to save the world, not judge and condemn it (John 3:17). It is easy to get off task, simply seeing the flaws and problems in the world and thinking we are here to make a point, set them straight, or present and enforce “the rules.” Not so. We are here to welcome with grace and mercy as He did.
Jesus knew the mission was so massive it would require supernatural power, and God was always with Him (John 8:29). “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free” (Luke 4:18 NLT). The mission is superlative, magnificent, and can only be accomplished in the power of the Spirit, completely available to us.
Jesus knew listening to the Spirit assured that He would have the right words and actions at the right time. We are on mission with our eyes continually tuned to the Spirit of God who will give us wisdom for each situation (John 7:16, 12:49).
Jesus knew our mission has a timestamp. It is easy to delay and procrastinate, but Jesus reminds us, “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4 NIV). When we love and serve like Jesus, we do it with great confidence and great urgency. The time is now.
- We will never be chosen for or participate in anything with more eternal significance and fulfillment than the mission of sharing the Good News. Thank Jesus for coming to us on mission and trusting us to work with Him. Recommit to His mission!