Every year, Americans explore the highways in their family cars for their annual vacations. Whether it’s a trip to a distant attraction or a short jaunt just a few counties over from home, we like to take a little time for ourselves.
How do you travel on those road trips? Are you one that likes to stop at every antique store or read every historical marker? Or maybe you’re the one that has to “make time” and get there as soon as possible.
In Matthew 9:35-10:15, 24-31, Jesus told us the destination for our missions, and he told us how we should get there. In our road trip analogy, Jesus would make stops along the way, and he would make it to his destination. Jesus’ disciples are to follow him into missions. That means, we must go.
We go with compassion (Matthew 9:35-38)
As Jesus ministered throughout towns and villages, his compassion for those in need became evident. He preached the good news of the kingdom. He healed those who were diseased and sick. Thus, Jesus met the spiritual and physical needs of the people he encountered. He worked in this way because he had compassion for the people.
As disciples of Jesus, we are to follow his example. We will meet the needs of those around us as our compassion for people grows. We need to see people through the eyes of Jesus and realize how much they are harassed and helpless. They are like sheep without a shepherd (v. 36).
As our compassion for others grows, we will realize the urgency of Jesus’ request to pray for more workers. Every day, we encounter people harassed in life and helpless to escape to safety. Only Jesus brings the necessary salvation people need, and more workers is what Jesus needs.
We go in authority (Matthew 10:1-4)
Compassion for others will help motivate us to missions, and Jesus promised to give the authority his followers need in order to accomplish their mission. Jesus sent the Twelve out with authority over evil spirits and diseases. That’s some impressive authority.
Many might say they cannot drive out evil spirits or miraculously heal others. Perhaps that’s true, but Jesus calls every believer to go on mission. Every believer can share the message of salvation with the lost. That will drive away evil spirits, as the Spirit of God brings salvation to the individual calling out to Jesus (Romans 10:13).
Every believer can give a loving touch to the sick. There’s power in human touch. When James 5:14 says to anoint the sick with oil, I believe the touch of another human was a more powerful element in healing than the anointing oil.
Every believer goes on mission with the authority and power of Jesus. What an encouraging promise for all who accept the call to go.
We go with a task (Matthew 10:5-15)
Jesus told the disciples to go, and the first thing he said about their destination was where not to go. It does seem Jesus’ initial mission was to bring salvation to the Jews who would in turn bring the message of salvation to the world.
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When the disciples went, they were to go without all of the needed provisions. Ultimately, they were to go on mission depending on God to provide for their needs. Certainly, many of the people they met would assist with providing for their needs, but in the end God would oversee their care.
Several years ago, I went on an international mission trip and worked with some believers from Paraguay. At the end of the mission trip, we all began going our separate ways. Someone discovered the Paraguayan believers did not have any food for their lengthy bus ride home. Arrangements were made for them to all have a lunch, but what impressed me was their faith. They believed God would take care of them whether or not they had any food. That’s how we engage the task of missions.
As we work for Jesus, we will rejoice and fellowship with those who receive the message of salvation (10:10-13). What a tremendous blessing it is to go on mission and see God work to bring salvation to the lost. At the same time, we must allow those who don’t want to accept Jesus to opportunity to refuse him (10:14-15).
We go without fear (Matthew 10:24-31)
With Matthew 10:24-31, Jesus encouraged his disciples to be bold in their witness. Whatever trouble may arise, God would provide.
That remains true today. God’s love and care for us is so great, we should have no fear about mission work. Still, many believers in our church have fear about mission work, and many mission trips involve travel in and around dangerous places. At the same time, living in the United States remains dangerous. Often a trip of just a mile or two from our own homes will place us in greater danger than in some of the so-called dangerous hot spots around the world.
Above all, God will take care of us. Our fears are unfounded. Trusting God means we will not hold counsel with our fears.
We go with a need to be tired
Fred Craddock, professor of preaching and author, tells the story of a youth group coming back to a church from a mission trip. He saw how the youth looked totally spent and exhausted. Craddock asked one you how he felt. “I’m really tired, but it’s the best tired I’ve ever felt.”
That’s the way our lives should be. We should go on mission and live on mission so that we live the best tired we’ve ever felt.
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