Living the Resurrection Reality – Part 7 – Mission

Jesus, in Samaria, having just spoken with the Woman at the Well, speaks to the disciples about the mission of the Kingdom — when questioned about the need for food:

“My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete this work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more, then comes the harvest’? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting.”

~John 4:34-35 (NRSV).

It is easy to miss this in the laxness of the world we live in today — the want to meet our own ‘needs’ as society tells us we need them filled.

The extravagance of the world often sickens me; indeed, my own want of this extravagance, when it abounds, is nauseating. But, then, as always occurs, grace abounds.

Our mission, moreover, is an urgent one.

Not that it’s acceptable in God’s sight to burn out servicing the vast need. The need will always be there! God doesn’t need us so much as he’s purposed us to be part of this mission.

The Privilege of Mission

The Apostle Paul speaks in glowing terms of the generosity of the Macedonian churches in 2 Corinthians 8:1-7. Even in their “severe ordeal of affliction” (verse 2) they counted it a joyous privilege to give what they could, for the Lord’s work.

Giving beyond means is considered privilege. The world calls it “inspiring” but we know it as the Lord’s anointing — the designation of task.

To be in the position to be able to give is one thing; to be placed into the special service of God’s mission for the lost, hungry, and weary is — even more so — the firm and entrancing wonder of being in service for the King of kings.

We’re Raised for This

Not only were we raised for our own saving, but for others’ too.

Living the resurrection reality is recognising not only the favour that God’s bestowed on us in saving us through Christ, it’s understanding the privilege it is to serve the most amazing Employer.

Preach with Words (If Necessary)

Our lives speak with abundant power either for or against God.

Indeed, our lives, the way we live them, how we speak and listen, and care or not care, speak volumes in evangelistic terms.

There is little need for words, until just the right God-directed time. Words of God, and obtuse Bible verses, can otherwise become barriers to receptivity. People want us to be credible — and they need to have a need — before they’ll listen to the ‘wisdom’ we might bring about God’s kingdom.

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Mission is first and foremost love, for the pure privilege that we can love — that we have a role to love.

© 2011 S. J. Wickham.