The Great Commission is always the highest priority of every Church and Christians. Jesus constantly clarified this purpose during the three and a half years. He addressed the issue of the heart, moved us from ethical moral standard to becoming holy, redefined the meaning of worship, redesigned the meaning of Church (moving from locatable place to person), and making us His image bearers. God’s plan for man’s redemption through His son Jesus made all the difference who clarified His mission and the core priority, ‘to seek and save the lost’ which is also the mission for us all. Today, most of Christians and Churches are focusing on good moral living and commitment only to the Church’s obligation. The reality and the priority have been changed drastically. Weekly, monthly and yearly activities have been successful in bringing the Christian community together. The funny part is every Church or organization, or so-called Mission leaders are holding to parts convenient for their identification and security.
This is no compromise when it comes to holy life, but then becoming like Christ enables a person to also be His witness for Him, becoming a carrier of the gospel and a powerful influencer. Let me remind you to refocus on Christ’s primary Mission which is the ultimate core responsibility of every Christian.
Matt 15:24 “I was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Matthew 9:37-38 “Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
John 17:18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”
John 20:21 “So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”. (This is after resurrection)
Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.".
Matt 28:18 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,”
Jesus Christ’s Mandate is mandatory for all, and is therefore called 1. Great Commission Mark 16:15, Matt 28:18-19) and 2. Supplement commandment to the Great Commission, Acts 1:8 “you shall be witnesses to Me…”
Let me remind you of some of the metaphors Jesus used to help us understand that our life must add value to others and attract them to Christ who promised abundant life and eternal life. I am pointing out few metaphors, out of many that Jesus used. The first four what Christ described and the last two by Apostle Paul who continued to explain to us through metaphors.
1) Leaven
Matthew 13:33 “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into fifty pounds of flour until all of it was leavened.”. The little leaven that gets lost in 50 pounds close to 23 kgs and yet influences the whole flour. This resembles the Christian life. We are supposed to be like this powerful influencer. Brian Zahnd states, “We change the world, not in loud, forceful ways, but in quiet, hidden ways. We hide the kingdom leaven of gospel and grace in the three measures of mean around us- family friends and neighbors. Eventually things rise.”.
2) Salt
Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth.” (The most essential and important part in human life). It is very difficult to live without it. Salt is not expensive at all but it is crucial to add taste and flavor. Likewise, we are expected to add taste and flavor in the lives of people.
3) Light
Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world”. Today instead of becoming a light to show direction to people we want to be in the spotlight of being famous. Christ meant that this light should be powerful enough to evict all darkness from people’s life. In verse 16 the purpose is defined that people see our good works and glorify our father.
4) Large net
Matt 13:47-48 “…Large net thrown into sea. It collected every kind of fish...”. You are a large net. Never forget this fact. To catch people of all kinds without being prejudiced.
5) Fragrance
2 Corinthians 2:15 “For God we are the fragrance of Christ…”. With good perfume you are sure to catch attention of all the passersby. Similarly, if you have Christ in you then for sure you have the capacity to draw people to Him.
6) Epistle
2 Corinthians 3:2-3 An epistle where people find an opportunity to read us and know Christ. What are people reading from us. Is it the still gospel to lead them to life, or success, career, commodity, materialistic blessings, positive living, etc?
Study shows Jesus spent three and a half years, 1,230 days, visited close to 175 towns and villages in Galilee, and influenced approximately 200,000 people that is 162 people daily. There is no other purpose than influencing lives and drawing them to Christ. Stop merchandising mission, ministry and Church.
You may read the last blog HERE