Is Our Story (and mission) Over?

‘Is this all there is? There must be more to this! Is our story over?’ The Jews, captive in affluent Babylon became not only successful but also comfortable! Like many today, they had ‘so much to live with  yet so little to live for ! In all this, they weren’t sure, as God’s nation and ‘chosen people’ in a foreign land, whether they had a continuing story

God, through His prophet Isaiah, shows his people where the real problem was: In the busyness of daily living they had forgotten God’s purposes for them. God graciously renews His promise and assures them of their return and re-establishment in their own land. He then offers them the privilege of becoming the nation from which Messiah would come to bless all the nations of the world. Their story was not quite over, yet!

Now then, how was God going to do all this? By declaring some ‘new things’ He was beginning to do among and for his people (Isa.42:8-13). God wanted his people to catch a fresh vision (the art of seeing the invisible) and develop a deep sense of mission  (the craft of doing the impossible, with God) and create transformation (becoming the change this world needs)! God is going to do this as they recognise their true identity and new responsibility. What were some of these ‘new things’ springing up in their midst?

First, there will be a new story of grace for God’s people to share (43:19-21). Up till now, the greatest story of God’s love the Jews could talk about was ‘the Exodus’. How God divided the Red Sea and delivered them out of their slavery in Egypt. Now, God was going to give them a far greater story to share! His miracle-working power would do more than bring them into a secure and prosperous land. His people, through Messiah, would be a Light bringing God’s salvation and eternal hope to the ends of the earth.

Second, there would be a new song of praise for God’s people to sing (42:10). When it comes to vitalizing a vision, communication is the key. Where words seem inadequate, how a song can powerfully carry an important message. (Handel’s Messiah comes out of Isaiah’s message). There was no time for dwelling in the past or self-pity for their experience of failure in exile is used to usher in comfort and a greater hope. The theme, object and reason for rejoicing are all one: God’s Messiah, Jesus– the Savior of the world!

Third, there would be a new sight of God’s glory for all people to see (49:6). Imagine, all of us, i.e. the Gentile nations, would be invited to be a vital part of this new faith community.  The coming of the Savior was to gather a people, honored and strong in their God. As followers of Christ, we have been entrusted God’s Word of light and life in order to go and ‘disciple the nations’ (Matt. 28:19-20). We are called to take the lead  in Missio Dei: To See this Vision, to State our Mission, and to Start the Transformation! So today, like never before, let us join in the refrain – ‘This is our Story; This is our Song…!

Missions: measure depth of commitment

When driving I look at my fuel gauge and it has four gradations that tell me whether I’m: (E)mpty, Quarter, Half-full, three quarter or (F)ull. Recently we installed a pump starter with a level indicator. This device starts the pump automatically as well as indicates if the water level in the tank is quarter, half, three-fourths or full. I wonder if there a way to measure of our commitment to Christ’s mission? The story of Peter’s missionary call and miraculous catch (Luke 5:1-11) provide a framework to examine our willingness and increase the depth of our own commitment.

This passage is significant for 3 reasons: (1) Luke registers, for historical interest, the commission of Simon Peter, the leading disciple and apostle of the early Church (2) the message in this miracle Jesus performs clarifies the conditions, cost and increasing depth of commitment required to be his follower (3) Jesus’ imagery of ‘fishing’ becomes a paradigm for discipleship and missions (Matt 4:19; following–fashioning–fishing). Let’s place ourselves in Peter’s sandals, heed Jesus’ call and assess our response to his: ‘Come let’s catch fish’, literally ‘take people alive’!

At level # 1, we find Peter among the crowd listening to Jesus’ words (5v1, words coming from the Lord) as he washes his nets by the Galilean shoreline. His attempts early that morning was futile and I wonder what his mood was like. Peter is ’there’; present with friends; part of the nice scenery. This is not his first meeting with Jesus, so evidently he hadn’t taking his call too seriously (Jn.1:42; Mk.1:16-20). At this point, his commitment to Christ’s kingdom may be termed Passive Missions. He is on the fringe of things, thinking: ‘What could I contribute? Would it matter or make any difference?’ Jesus is ministering to the multitudes with words and wonders yet these are the very things that crowd out Peter’s personal involvement.

Many a church ‘member’ attending another a manic Sunday, can frustrate and hinder its mission. Church is no ‘spectator sport’ to stand and observe what’s happening. ‘As fire exists for burning; the Church exists for mission’. It is the only organization that solely exists for the welfare of its non-members. Jesus’ interaction with Peter reveals the nature of the community his is forming. Are you part of a church that seeks the lost, at any cost?

At level # 2, we find Peter lending Jesus his boat. With the crowds pressing against him, Jesus notices 2 empty boats and requests Peter the use of his (v.3). He asks him to push it a little away from the shore so his voice could carry across as he sat and taught from this improvised pulpit. Note Peter extends his resources but stays at the shallow end. He did not need the boat at that time and felt good it could be used by Jesus. This stage, Proxy Missions is where Peter sends his assets without leaving his comfort zone. After all, it doesn’t cost or hurt him much; for what degree of sacrifice allows the use of one’s boat while washing nets? He is interested but not involved, yet.

Many churches when it comes to fulfilling the Great Commission are presence-shaped but not purpose-driven. ‘The Lord is with us; we feel his presence’ but tomorrow it is business as usual. Is this possible to have services as usual with Jesus in our midst? There were two empty boats yet Jesus’ asks Peter for his. God does not ask us for what we don’t have and always uses whatever we give him. Yet he wants more than our things.

At level # 3, Peter takes risks and is launching out deep with Jesus (v.4). After ministry to the crowds, Jesus has a mission for Peter that engages his personal skills. He tells Peter, an expert fisherman who returned from night duty, to row deeper to try catching fish again. This must have sounded absurd and been embarrassing to obey. This stage may be entitled as Participatory Missions. At best a carpenter, Jesus from Nazareth could make boats. This itinerary evangelist-rabbi was challenging Peter to do something Peter could, but on his terms in a different context. Something foolish under the given circumstances with no success guaranteed but only his empowering presence. Peter has reservations, he confesses his past struggles, but eventually obeys.

Mission-minded churches attempt great things for God and expect great things from God. There are members who are good at making comments and criticism about what is and should be happening. As a result there is undue concern for self maintenance (cleaning nets), rather than obeying God’s voice or meeting people’s needs. Obedience always leads to blessing; delayed obedience is disobedience. Faith missions is simply taking God at his word. Attempt something so great, that it’s doomed to fail except God be in it!

At level # 4, we see Peter learning to partner with Jesus and others: (v.7) Peter enlists as a follower of Christ his commander-in-chief and allows him to navigate his life as an adventure in faith. Jesus uses his willingness and skills to perform a miracle that results in the transformation of lives, primarily Simon’s into Peter– the Rock! This leads to a deeper understanding of self (sinful man), the greatness of God (Jesus miracles/messiahship), people’s real need (existential and eternal) Peter now discovers Jesus’ empowering presence that will cause him to further trust and obey (walk on water).

There is more to this level, namely, Partnership in Missions. Peter recognizes he needed others, there are other co-workers for/with Jesus and he was not alone in this mission. He summons his partners to help bring in the catch. Whether Peter became the first Pope or Pentecostal preacher, what is clear is that together with ‘the 12’ he learns to expect and attempt great things for God. We must develop greater partnership for global missions (divided we fall). We are heirs together of the grace of life (1Pet.3:7), our hearts must be knit together with love (Col.2:2) as we serve together for the faith of the gospel (Phil.1:27). We are a faith community; Emmanuel means God is with us, not me

What is striking and humbling is that Peter could have refused to hear Jesus’ words or at any point said, ‘No’ to his: ‘let me use your boat’, ‘launch out deeper’ or ‘follow me to be a fisher of men’. At that particular point, Peter would have missed out, not just on the catch of fish, but in experiencing the miracle and more so the blessing of being called and sent in Missio Dei!

Peter goes deeper, risking the loss of his reputation and career only to gain an experience of God in Christ. He discovers Christ is no ordinary teacher-preacher or miracle-worker, but God’s agent and his ‘Lord’. Jesus is Liberator from guilt and sin; Lord of Peter’s daily work and the true Leader of our missionary endeavors. He finds ‘in Christ’, God’s grace is greater than all our sin, Truth that sets us free and Love that casts out all fears.

He Has Risen = Mission Possible!

Christians may have differences in some areas of belief but one truth claim of Jesus is non-negotiable – his bodily resurrection! The early Christians didn’t merely share the fact of Jesus’ death they preached his resurrection proclaiming him ‘Lord of life’! Good Friday was our human ‘NO’ to Jesus, Easter is God’s ‘YES’ to Him! The Cross was the Son’s payment for our sins, the empty tomb the Father’s receipt stamped ‘paid-in-full!’ Because Christ lives his followers will also live! (Jn. 14:19) This is good news – the Gospel! Christianity has a risen Savior, not a dead founder, hence a ‘living hope’; a faith that’s real, future with hope, community (church-life) with purpose and a mission that’s possible! The women who went that resurrection morning ‘looking for the living among the dead’ (Mt 28:1-10) became the 1st Gospel preachers! Let’s join them to hear 4 words of exhortation that will mobilize mournful seekers to be fervent missionaries..

There’s none like Jesus!

Many great people were born, whose words and deeds contributed much to the wellbeing of humanity. When we study the lives of some of these individuals we find them to be certainly unique in some ways. Their personalities have been influential and their achievements have impacted us in various areas of life. Nevertheless an earnest look into the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth, as recorded in the Bible, will reveal him to be the most unique person who ever lived. At Christmas, celebrating his birth, we wonder: ‘What child is this?’ During his earthly life, people enquired: ‘Who’s this man?’ and the Apostle Thomas, who came to India as a missionary, confessed of Jesus: ‘My Lord and my God!’ Think about the claim

Take a walk… with God!

It was a pleasant Sunday evening as Cleopas and his friend tread a seven mile road toward a town named Emmaus (Lk. 24:13-35). The two were feeling down and disheartened. Jesus, their teacher, had inspired much hope in them but then he was unjustly tried and murdered three days ago. They were further disillusioned as mysterious news concerning his missing body had filtered to their ears that morning

What! Glory in ‘the Cross?’ Why!?

Mahatma Gandhi, who loved spiritual songs, once entreated Indian Christians: “Sing me the song that best depicts your faith!” They sang, ‘When I survey the wondrous Cross on which the prince of Glory died; my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride!’ The Apostle Paul boldly declared: ‘God forbid I should boast or glory in anything, except the Cross of Christ!’ (Gal. 6:14) Did you know the cross was once a symbol of shame and death? Today it will be like wearing a skull with bones or an electric chair! Why then do Christians glory in the Cross and count all else loss? At least for 3 reasons:

Jesus… ‘in the midst’

Jesus must be the centre and source of the Christian faith and life. The Good Friday and Easter events show Jesus dying ‘in the midst’ of two thieves, then manifesting himself ‘in the midst’ of his followers as their resurrected Lord. What was he doing amidst such people? Studying the significance of these occasions helps understand the reality of Jesus’ oft-quoted promise: Where two or three are gathered in my name there I am ‘in the midst’ (Mt.18:20)