Simplicity of the Mission

As humans I think we struggle with simplicity. We seem to want to make things more difficult than they need to be. Maybe we think that the more complicated things become the more successful we are or maybe we feel we look smarter. I don’t know what it is, but it seems to be a common struggle. We seem to do this in every area of life. We continue to buy more things to use which in turn means we have more to look after and do, forgetting that we just added another layer of complication to life. The sad fact is that we tend to do the same thing in the church. Jesus was very clear about his mission, “Jesus said to him, ‘For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.’” Luke 19:10 CSB You really can’t get much clearer than that. Then Jesus goes on and extends that same mission (His mission) to his followers. “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.’” John 20:21 CSB In this verse when Jesus sends out those who follow him he does not change the mission. He doesn’t say now go out and feed people, cloth them and make sure they are healthy (these are all good things and the basic needs of all people). No, Jesus’ mission is still to seek and save the lost. Maybe we do some of the physical things while we are sharing the good news of forgiveness, but we should not allow those good things to replace the mission, the wonderful news that Jesus has paid the price of forgiveness. Remember, we are ambassadors of Jesus, whose stated mission was to redeem and restore the lost.
Really, it is a simple mission. How complicated have you made it? What’s keeping you from being an effective ambassador?

-Pastor Tim