Mission (Im)possible
>> Et accedens Jesus locutus est eis, dicens: Data est mihi omnis potestas in caelo et in terra: euntes ergo docete omnes gentes: baptizantes eos in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti: docentes eos servare omnia quaecumque mandavi vobis: et ecce ego vobiscum sum omnibus diebus, usque ad consummationem saeculi.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Da trat Jesus auf sie zu und sagte zu ihnen: Mir ist alle Vollmacht gegeben im Himmel und auf der Erde. Darum geht und macht alle Völker zu meinen Jüngern; tauft sie auf den Namen des Vaters und des Sohnes und des Heiligen Geistes und lehrt sie, alles zu befolgen, was ich euch geboten habe. Und siehe, ich bin mit euch alle Tage bis zum Ende der Welt. << (Matthew 28:18-20, different translations)
...as it becomes clear from the verses above, the Gospel has reached almost every people and every nation on this globe. With modern technology, it has become easier than ever before to spread the Good News. Even in times like this, when this blog post is written, where the infamous CoViD-19 keeps people from attending their local congregations, people have come up with innovative ideas to stay connected as believers and still spread Jesus' words.
The Mission - Nothing that Hollywood Came Up With
First of all, what is a mission? A mission is an order of a superior to one or multiple subordinates to fulfil a certain quest. Many people know this term from blockbuster movies or from video games. For Christians, it has another, way deeper meaning: We are sent out into the world by the most superior being of this universe, Jesus Christ. After the Romans had crucified Him and after He had risen from the grave, Jesus once more gave His closest disciples an order. What was asked of them was more than a simple man from the ancient Levante could have imagined: Go out into the world and make disciples.
He did not just talk about the neighboring villages or even the countries close by. Just to get an idea how far His disciples went, let me tell you where some of the apostles ended up on their mission. Peter and Paul went to Rome, Philip to Northern Africa, and Andrew to modern-day Russia.
The Why Behind the What
We have to understand that Jesus did not just send the apostles out because He was an extraordinary travel agent or because travelling in ancient times was fun. Neither of these things is true. But Jesus had something else in mind, He wanted the whole world to hear the Good News.
As the creator of this world and all humanity, Jesus wants us all to be happy and have everlasting joy. Especially the latter one is only achievable through His plan of salvation. Without hearing of the plan, it is nearly impossible to become part of His church. As Christians, we can get a little teaser trailer of how life with Him in eternity will be. That is why He wants as many people as possible to have this peace during their life, and not just in the afterlife when it might be too late for some. >> For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. << (John 3:16, NIV)
My Experiences
Even though I have been born into a Christian family, missionary have taught me, too. After a few years of being inactive - wild teenage years and so on - a had to rediscover my childhood faith. The more I looked for the "right" Christian belief, the harder it became. It looked like there were a million denominations and at least twice as many creeds. The missionaries made it easier for me to find answers to my questions. They were guiding me along my path without ever forcing me to do something. All they had to do was inviting me, I gladly took the chance. Ever since, my life has changed and turned around 180 degrees. Jesus truly wants us to have success (which does not necessarily mean money) and become the best version of ourselves.
Media sources:
https://www1.cbn.com/sites/default/files/styles/video_ratio_16_9/public/media/slider/images/onlinechurch_hdv_0.jpg?itok=ealS1DQ9
https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.109138071.2309/flat,750x,075,f-pad,750x1000,f8f8f8.jpg
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Da trat Jesus auf sie zu und sagte zu ihnen: Mir ist alle Vollmacht gegeben im Himmel und auf der Erde. Darum geht und macht alle Völker zu meinen Jüngern; tauft sie auf den Namen des Vaters und des Sohnes und des Heiligen Geistes und lehrt sie, alles zu befolgen, was ich euch geboten habe. Und siehe, ich bin mit euch alle Tage bis zum Ende der Welt. << (Matthew 28:18-20, different translations)
...as it becomes clear from the verses above, the Gospel has reached almost every people and every nation on this globe. With modern technology, it has become easier than ever before to spread the Good News. Even in times like this, when this blog post is written, where the infamous CoViD-19 keeps people from attending their local congregations, people have come up with innovative ideas to stay connected as believers and still spread Jesus' words.
The Mission - Nothing that Hollywood Came Up With
First of all, what is a mission? A mission is an order of a superior to one or multiple subordinates to fulfil a certain quest. Many people know this term from blockbuster movies or from video games. For Christians, it has another, way deeper meaning: We are sent out into the world by the most superior being of this universe, Jesus Christ. After the Romans had crucified Him and after He had risen from the grave, Jesus once more gave His closest disciples an order. What was asked of them was more than a simple man from the ancient Levante could have imagined: Go out into the world and make disciples.
He did not just talk about the neighboring villages or even the countries close by. Just to get an idea how far His disciples went, let me tell you where some of the apostles ended up on their mission. Peter and Paul went to Rome, Philip to Northern Africa, and Andrew to modern-day Russia.
The Why Behind the What
We have to understand that Jesus did not just send the apostles out because He was an extraordinary travel agent or because travelling in ancient times was fun. Neither of these things is true. But Jesus had something else in mind, He wanted the whole world to hear the Good News.
As the creator of this world and all humanity, Jesus wants us all to be happy and have everlasting joy. Especially the latter one is only achievable through His plan of salvation. Without hearing of the plan, it is nearly impossible to become part of His church. As Christians, we can get a little teaser trailer of how life with Him in eternity will be. That is why He wants as many people as possible to have this peace during their life, and not just in the afterlife when it might be too late for some. >> For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. << (John 3:16, NIV)
My Experiences
Even though I have been born into a Christian family, missionary have taught me, too. After a few years of being inactive - wild teenage years and so on - a had to rediscover my childhood faith. The more I looked for the "right" Christian belief, the harder it became. It looked like there were a million denominations and at least twice as many creeds. The missionaries made it easier for me to find answers to my questions. They were guiding me along my path without ever forcing me to do something. All they had to do was inviting me, I gladly took the chance. Ever since, my life has changed and turned around 180 degrees. Jesus truly wants us to have success (which does not necessarily mean money) and become the best version of ourselves.
Media sources:
https://www1.cbn.com/sites/default/files/styles/video_ratio_16_9/public/media/slider/images/onlinechurch_hdv_0.jpg?itok=ealS1DQ9
https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.109138071.2309/flat,750x,075,f-pad,750x1000,f8f8f8.jpg
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