Mission Update
When the time is right, we all learn what our mission is.
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. - Matthew 10:5-15
The kingdom of heaven has come near.
That is what Jesus told his disciples to tell the people they encountered. At first that sounds like the end is near, but after thinking about it for a while, I think it simply means God is close.
Jesus brought God to us in a way we had not expected before, and now that he has come to us, we have an opportunity to be touched by him.
So, after the disciples spent time getting to know Jesus, living with him and learning from him, he sent them out to share what they learned with those Jesus came to reach.
Those who receive the gift are told to share the gift with others.
It is a simple mission. If you are accepted, stay. If you are rejected, leave.
What if we all took that advice?
Perhaps our conversations would be clearer, shorter, less confrontational. If you agree, we can sit and talk, share a meal, be in communion with one another.
But if you disagree, take care. I will leave you be.
If Jesus could offer salvation and walk away if people don't want it, don't believe, or have a dissenting view, maybe we should be able to do the same, rather than insist that "they" conform to our viewpoint.
Even if we are 100% right, others have a right to their own view.
The mission is the same today. Spread the good news to those who wish to hear it, and let the others alone.
More to come...