Verse: John 17:18
18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
Devotional Thoughts:
Jesus tells the Father that Christ-followers have been sent into the world. If you are a Christ-follower, you’ve been commanded to go. Proclaim the gospel. Make disciples. Be his witnesses.
Let me paint you a harrowing picture:
- Thailand – 1.3% of Thai people are Christians.
- Japan – 2.2%
Let’s bring it to the states:
- Massachusetts – under 30%
- Utah – around 15%
You might be thinking, “Zac, are you saying we ought to pack it up and move to Japan? We need to be heading out to Massachusetts?” No, I’m not saying that. But I’m also not telling you Jesus isn’t commanding you to do that. Because, sometimes, that’s exactly what Jesus demands. Sometimes God gives those marching orders. Lay it all down and go.
Points to Ponder:
That great missionary to India, William Carey, is well known for saying – “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.” But the problem is we don’t attempt great things for God because we don’t expect great things from God.
In fact, all too often, we don’t come to God with expectations, we come to God with our exceptions.
God, I’ll do anything you ask, except this…
God, I’ll go anywhere you send me, except there…
God, I’ll go anytime you need me, except now…
Even if we don’t make exceptions, we’ll make excuses that sound Biblically reasonable.
We’ll say, “Well, I hope people see Christ in me.” And that’s great. I hope people see Christ in us. The problem is people are only seeing Christ in us and never hearing about Christ from us. We’re called to do more than just show. We’re called to proclaim the gospel – the word gospel literally means good news. But it can only be news if it is heard.
We’ll say, “Well, the problem is people don’t come to church.” No, the primary problem is that, somewhere along the way, the church stopped going to people.We’re called to lay our lives down for Christ. And our Lord doesn’t call us to do anything he hasn’t done himself. We serve a God who stepped off the throne and onto the dusty streets of Nazareth, knowing full well the end of his road lead to a cross. He laid his life down for us. And he calls us to lay ours down as well.
