Only Missionaries in the Building

Written by Javier Mendoza

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

In Part 1 of "Only Missionaries in the Building" I mentioned the fact that many times this Great Commission is often not prioritized because many Christians have wrongly placed priority on comfort and ease of mission. People want things in life to represent a straight line from "A to B" when in reality life rarely works that way. Life is full of ups and downs & wins and losses.

I think it is also an issue of understanding that this "calling" or this mission as it is mandated for followers of Jesus is actually for EVERY follower of Jesus not just a select few. This doesn't mean that every one will look the same and go about completing this commission the exact same way but it does mean that everyone should play a part in its completion. It also means that we as followers have a part in inviting, training and sending others to do the same.

The assumption, that is sometimes made, that the Great Commission or simply "Missions" is just for a select chosen is in direct opposition to much of the Bible.

There are plenty of references to going and serving others in the bible and most of the story from start to finish follow the theme of going beyond self to reach others.

When Jesus is asked what the greatest commandment is he responds in this way which is recorded in the Book of Matthew, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

The Great Commission at it's core is really all about LOVE. It is about witnessing the plight of others and being willing to love that person in spite of circumstances, our perceptions, or our pre disposed ideas about the why or who of those in need of love.

Christians have to be willing to let go of and lay down our prejudices and opinions that only some people are worthy of love and simple obey. In John, Jesus says it this way, "This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends–You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit".

Let's take a view of the Great Commission that is for everyone and being completed by every Christian. Not set this aside for a special group to do, but in fact something that is set up for everyone to take part in. May we all opt to use whatever is in our hands, whether skills, money, hospitality, home or food, to carry out the greatest commands we as Christians have ever received, Love God and Love Others.

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10