The Great Commission

“Missionary” is a title that immediately invokes a very poignant image.  It is a very positive image for some—invoking pride and respect over a Missionary’s devotion to the cause of Christ.  Yet, to others it invokes less positive images of a wasted life. What propels someone to endure the sting and extreme cost of a life in a foreign culture for the sake of Christ?

               I think simply the answer can be found in Matthew 28:19-20, what modern Christians call “The Great   Commission”.  There is no question about the words of Jesus here-He plainly says, “Go”.  As followers of Jesus, we should trust Him enough to obey His Word.  I have many friends who were convinced enough by the invitation in this verse and the promise Jesus will be with them (in verse 20) that they leave everything and go to the “ends of the earth” to share the Good News of Jesus.

               However, the lifestyle of a missionary is not easy.  The logistics of living in a culture foreign to your own requires great work and effort.  Coming from America, or any Western nation provides an extra challenge as one fights to adjust to a lifestyle much less extravagant and comfortable.  People who move internationally go through periods of culture shock, culture stress and language learning.  Many brave such a venture for a job promotion or a paycheck their company offers.  Yet others go, and navigate these hardships for less pay than they are used to, simply out of devotion for Jesus.  What makes them walk out their initial “yes” to fulfill the Great Commission?

               There are joys along the journey.  There is an inexpressible joy in the eyes of people who have never heard the Gospel before.  A Missionary gets to watch their friends go from the bondage of other religions into the life giving Truth offered through the Cross.  My friends and I labor specifically among those unreached by the Gospel—that means a population that is less than 2% Christian.  In such a context, a missionary gets to be the first to tell their friends, neighbors and acquaintances about Jesus.  Many around the world have never even heard that name.  Isn’t that shocking?  Growing up in a nation that prides itself on religious freedom, I was rocked when I first learned there were people out there who didn’t even know the name of Jesus, much less the Message of the Gospel.  A Missionary gets the challenge of enduring persecution and rejection by many around them to find the joy of seeing some snatched from a certain destiny of Hell and brought into a wonderful destiny of an eternity with Jesus.  A Missionary’s reward is not only in the life to come, but they get to see the transforming power of The Gospel as their friends’ lifestyles change through interaction with The Bible, and with God who speaks through prayer.

               While there are times of trails, struggles and loneliness, there are promises that ring true while on the field.  Jesus promises to be with us!  Missionaries get the extreme pleasure of laboring along side what Jesus is doing in the hearts of people around the world.  John 4:35 declares that there is a harvest ready—right now!  We do not need to wait, hearts are ready to receive the Message right now!  I realize that not everyone is called to move internationally to the mission field (I would say that more are called to go than are currently going though).  Yet, Jesus is clear in Matthew that His followers are to spread His Gospel even to the ends of the Earth.  That leads me to say that those who do not respond to The Great Commission by going must respond by giving to those who are going.  All throughout Paul’s teachings he assures those who fund missionaries reap the reward of lives touched.  Philippians 4:17 is one such instance where Paul says he is not seeking a gift from the church he was writing to, but he seeks that fruit may abound to their account.  I encourage you to link arms with a missionary and walk alongside of them in their journey.  Sow financial seeds into them and watch what God does through them—and YOU in the nations.  Where your money is, there your heart is also (Matthew 6:21).  Jesus’ heart is in the nations, among those who have never heard about Him.  I invite you to put your heart in the same region!

You are called to fulfill The Great Commission, together through partnership—we can answer that call in this generation!