Called to Mission
January 3, 2012
Matthew 10:7-8 – And proclaim as ou go, saying, “They Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Heal the sick, rasie the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.
My call as a Christian is to participate in Christ’s call for my life. Salvatino from the penalty of my sin is not the end of the story. None of the Gospels end with Jesus dying, but with Him rising from the grave and calling us to join Him (Acts 1:8). And so, my life cannot be wasted simply waiting for Jesus to return, but my life is to be spent working and to, through the Holy Spirit who possesses me, usher in the Kingdom of God through proclamation and intentional discipleship. My job is to respond to Jesus’ call in my life. My job is not to convert…
Matthew 10:14-15 – And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.”
If they do not receive the message, it is their fault. It is not our burden to bear if they do not receive Christ. Their blindness cannot be overcome by even the best witness. Rather, our job is to proclaim and to actively work on their behalf. God will be gracious to those whom He desires to be gracious towards. Furthermore, those who reject Him will experience the fullness of the wrath to come.
This is a barrier that I struggle with, because I’m so used to my actions producing a result (If I study hard, I will pass. If I work out, I will grow stronger). What I struggle with is the fact that I evangelize, preach, teach the Bible, and there seems to be little change in the lives of my friends, family and congregation. And when there is no life change, I feel like I have failed them, and furthermore, I feel as if I’ve failed God. I feel like I’m not meant to be a preacher or a teacher, or even a boyfriend/husband/father. I feel that if I cannot help them grow, then I am the one who is failing. However, the word of God speaks differently about the issue. My call is to proclaim and to accompany my proclamation with good works. My call is not to convert. Only God saves. And yes, on one level, I can constantly refine my skills and relate to them better, but my sanity rests on the belief that my faithfulness does not translate towards the salvation and sanctification of others.
Matthew 10:24-25 – “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the discile to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household?”
On another note… Jesus tells us that we will be rejected, and furthermore, we will be persecuted. If I am faithful to my calling as a minister, I will experience rejection and heartache, and perhaps someday maybe even violence. However, Jesus reminds me that if I do face heartbreak and rejection, then I’m only following in His footsteps. This is depressing but encouraging at the same time (I don’t really know how to take this passage sometimes). However, in the times where I am rejected, I need to take heart that Jesus had it worse, and that He is my great and sympathetic High Priest who not only comforts and consoles me, but gives me hope for my tomorrow. Jesus’ words ultimately did not return to him void, and neither will mine, provided I am preaching the word of God (Isaiah 55:11).
Matthew 10:42 – And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is my disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
And lastly, as an encouragement to me, Jesus says that no work that I do will go unnoticed or unrewarded. In my current season of busy-ness, I need to hold onto all of these truths: that Christ’s call is for me to proclaim and to disciple (not to convert), that suffering and rejection will be a norm, and that there is a reward awaiting me in heaven, namely, Jesus Christ.
“Whom have I in heaven but You Jesus. And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. Though my flesh and my heart may fail, but You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
