By Gary Ridley, SEND U — John 20:21
records the words of Jesus, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (ESV)
Often in mission circles this verse launches us into a discussion of “incarnational mission” focusing on serving and contextualization. Both are clearly important for missions. Yet is that the full extent of how our mission compares to the mission of Jesus?
In his book, "The Missions of Jesus and the Disciples According to the Fourth Gospel," Andreas Köstenberger points out, “The context of 20:21 indicates that Jesus is a model for the disciples in his relationship to his sender, the Father: Jesus sought to bring glory to the one who sent him and to do his sender’s will rather than his own. He represented his sender faithfully and maintained a close relationship with him. The thrust of the passage appears to be that the disciples are to relate to Jesus in the same way as Jesus related to his sender, the Father.”(216)
I encourage you to read Köstenberger’s book. The important thing to consider now is:
Are we modeling our relationship to Jesus, as our sender, on his relationship to the Father, as his sender?
“Not the way in which Jesus came into the world (i.e., the incarnation), but the nature of Jesus’ relationship with his sender (i.e., one of obedience and utter dependence), is presented in the Fourth Gospel as the model for the disciples’ mission. Jesus’ followers are called to imitate Jesus’ selfless devotion in seeking his sender’s glory, to submit to their sender’s will, and to represent their sender accurately and know him intimately.” (217)
Far too often we focus on our audience to the neglect of our relationship to our sender, Jesus Christ. Our message must accurately speak of the person and work of Jesus Christ, making sure that we please him in what we say. Let’s cultivate knowing him intimately in obedience and utter dependence so that our audience will understand what Christ has accomplished through his death and resurrection so that they may join us in giving glory to the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world!
If you choose to buy “The Missions of Jesus,” consider using https://smile.amazon.com and choosing to donate a portion of the purchase price to SEND International, at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
