“Who sent you here?”
That’s a question that people get asked when they are delivering a message or when they are on a mission. It’s an important question for us to consider about our lives. Who is deciding where you go, what you are doing, and what you are saying each and every day?
Sent on a mission
Jesus was sent on a mission. He had good news to share. This good news changes lives. Jesus is the Anointed One of God, the Chosen One, the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior. He is the Savior for all who will believe. One day he was in the town he was brought up, meeting together with some folks in the local synagogue.
16 He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As usual, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Him, and unrolling the scroll, He found the place where it was written:
18 The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
20 He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 He began by saying to them , “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.” (Luke 4:16-21)
We are also on mission with God. He sends us, everywhere we go, to make disciples. To share good news. It can be as simple as telling someone you are praying for them, or inviting them to church, or reminding them that God cares about them. It can be you sharing your story of how God has been at work in your life, or a story from the Bible that really helps them with what they are going through.
Sent with instructions and resources
The instructions for Jesus were found in the Bible, the Word of God. He was to preach good news, to set people free from their sins, to demonstrate his ability to save through signs and miracles, and to let people know that God loved them. His resources were the Holy Spirit (see verse 18 above), leading and guiding and empowering him.
Our instructions are found in the Bible. And we have the gifts, talents and abilities given to us by God. And the Holy Spirit leads, guides and empowers us too. That is why it is vital for us to read the Bible regularly and to put its truths into practice in our lives. God sends us with instructions and resources.
Sent to people
Jesus was sent to minister to people and share good news with them. Some received his message and believed in him. But not all of them accepted his message or ministry. Even some in his hometown did not believe in him. Others who were of different nationalities than Jesus did put their trust in him! You may be surprised who is open to the gospel message. The people of Jesus’ day certainly were surprised.
22 They were all speaking well of Him and were amazed by the gracious words that came from His mouth, yet they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
23 Then He said to them, “No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me: ‘Doctor, heal yourself. So all we’ve heard that took place in Capernaum, do here in Your hometown also.’” 24 He also said, “ •I assure you: No prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 But I say to you, there were certainly many widows in Israel in Elijah’s days, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months while a great famine came over all the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them —but to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27 And in the prophet Elisha’s time, there were many in Israel who had serious skin diseases, yet not one of them was healed —only Naaman the Syrian.”
28 When they heard this, everyone in the synagogue was enraged. 29 They got up, drove Him out of town, and brought Him to the edge of the hill that their town was built on, intending to hurl Him over the cliff. 30 But He passed right through the crowd and went on His way. (Luke 4:16-30)
As we serve the Lord, don’t be discouraged when some people reject Christ. Pray for them, keep the door open for future conversations or ministry to them (by you or others), and continue to serve others and share good news.
We are all on a mission, sent by God. We gives us instructions and resources. We are sent to tell people of all ages, of every tribe, and of every nation that God has good news for them, and here it is: if they will turn from their sin and trust in Jesus as Lord & Savior, he will save them eternally and change their life forever!