Mission as Participation

 

 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." — Matthew 28:19–20

Missiologist David Bosch taught that mission is not a human initiative, but God’s movement toward the world, a divine endeavor in which the Church is invited to participate. As Bosch noted, mission is not primarily an activity of the Church, but an attribute of God; God is a missionary God.

We do not invent mission strategies to serve human goals. Instead, we discern where God is already at work, in the margins, in broken places, and in the quiet stirrings of grace, and join Him there. Authentic mission must be holistic, simultaneously proclaiming the Gospel, pursuing justice, and embodying reconciliation.

Bosch warned against reducing mission to mere institutional recruitment or numerical expansion. True mission is incarnational, shaped by the cross, and marked by humility. It requires the Church to live as a sign, instrument, and foretaste of the Kingdom of God.

We must continually ask ourselves whether we are actively participating in God’s mission, or merely asking God to bless our own plans. Bosch’s theology invites us to listen attentively, step out when sent, and live as faithful witnesses to a Kingdom that is already breaking into the world.

Missionary God, thank You for inviting me into Your redemptive work. Help me to see where You are moving and to follow with courage and compassion. May my life reflect Your love and truth in every place You send me. Amen.

Photo by NEOM on Unsplash

      

Jesus' Gift of Peace

Jesus said, “I leave you peace; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does. So don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” -JOHN 14:27

In the Jewish culture, the Hebrew shalom is a customary greeting for both “hello” and “goodbye.” Shalom means “peace” and so much more. It implies a wish for health, prosperity, and wholeness. It also expresses a wish for an absence of both internal and external strife.

As Jesus prepared to say goodbye to his closest friends, it was the night of the Last Supper. He bid them shalom. Jesus’ words of farewell were far more than a traditional blessing. They were a gift only the Prince of Peace himself can offer. Jesus offered his followers peace of mind and heart. This peace was unlike the peace of the world they knew. It depended solely on his followers’ relationship with him.

These words of Jesus are like his Last Will and Testament. Just as a will records how to divide possessions among survivors, John 14:27 records our inheritance. Jesus bequeathed a priceless treasure to all those who follow him. In fact, his gift has set us up for life—both this one and the next. That’s because the wholeness found in Jesus’ gift of peace is at the heart of true happiness. As we pursue peace by pursuing Jesus, we’ll find we are holding the true key to living the good life.

Jesus’ gift of peace offers us an alternative to fear and worry, a foretaste of heaven available here and now. As with any inheritance, we have to accept it and use it to enjoy its true benefits.