Missions: From the Depths of God’s Heart
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Matthew 9:35-39
Do you feel the heart of God in this passage? There are times when I read it and I have to hold back the emotions. It’s almost too much. I have a hard time believing I would get so choked up over some verses in the Bible.
I can picture Jesus looking out over those crowds and seeing the leper whose body is crumbling, the prostitute who is trapped in darkness, and above all else the souls of people who are desperately looking for hope. Soon Jesus would be crucified in order to draw all mankind to himself but the work of salvation would be far from over.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” What was the look on Jesus’ face when he said that? Did he hold his hand out in a gesture toward the crowd and look the disciples in the eye? It’s almost like he is saying, “These are my lost sheep, and together lets go and bring them home.”
In some church buildings you’ll find a sign above the door that reads, NOW ENTERING THE MISSION FIELD and as old fashioned as it might seem, that is exactly what is happening. But that sign doesn’t capture God’s deep felt need for followers of Jesus to live in missions.
Our Christian lives are boring. Bible studies are boring. Wednesday nights are boring. Sunday morning can be boring. Our daily devotional time can be boring. That might be over exaggerating but you understand. Haven’t you ever asked yourself, “Was I saved from death and judgment for this?
Setting all excuses aside, it doesn’t matter if you leave your home town, your state, or country, missions is happening all around us. Missions or living with the purpose of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in such a way that goes beyond your personal faith, can look like anything. But when you give into the Spirit of God and let go of whatever is holding you back, this is when life begins.
Missions means risking for and trusting in God all in the same motion. How you spend your time and money, where you choose to live, the way you use the talents and abilities God gave you in order to advance the his kingdom. When you look out and see “the crowd” like Jesus did, that can be enough.
The sad thing is most Christians aren’t experiencing missions. We are missing out. And when the world looks at us they don’t see a light reflecting God’s glory they see a black hole of faith absorbing but never giving light. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. God has given us his Word and his Spirit. We are fully equipped even as he continues to transform us into the image of Jesus Christ. There need not be any delay.
If you want to get at the heart of God, then living and being a part of Mission will be your desire. And as you reach out the personal relationship and growing faith in God that you so yearn for will begin to develop. It might not always be easy but we have been promised that He will be with us.
Lord, send workers into your harvest.
Jon-Michael
God is My Desire
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