The view was picturesque. The city nestled at the foot of the mountain. The air was crisp, but the sun warm. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and listened to the noise of nature.
The men in front of him shuffled nervously. Whispers floated between them carrying their insecurities back and forth. He smiled at them, the future of his endeavor.
The men were well trained. He was sure of that. He’d spent the past three years working with them, developing their skills, building their motivation, teaching, training, honing. They were ready.
Well almost. There was one more thing they needed, but it wasn’t quite time for that yet. Soon. He scanned their faces. Soon they would be ready and the world wouldn’t know what hit it.
“Men,” he addressed them. “I’m the boss, and I’m giving you the authority to complete the mission. Go.” With that simple commission he left them.
And they went.
Jesus gave that command – or Great Commission – to the apostles right before he ascended to heaven. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)
In many Christian circles this Great Commission is considered one of the most important passages in the New Testament. Go. It’s such a simple command, but unfortunately it gets neglected by many.
Go. Go where? Who is supposed to go? Missionaries? Me? What do we do when we get there … wherever there is? When do we go? Do we all go? When we get there does the command end or do we have to go again … and again … and again?
Maybe it’s not such a simple command after all. One problem occurred in the translation from Greek to English. The word should have been translated as you are going rather than go. That would simplify some things.
As you are going to work … make disciples of all nations. As you are going to the mall … make disciples of all nations. As you are going next door, on vacation, to a party – wherever you are going – make disciples. As you are talking with your children, hanging with your friends, going about your daily life … make disciples.
This simplifies several things. The where is everywhere. The who is every Christian. The when is every time you go somewhere … and even when you don’t.
Pastors often instruct their flocks that God has charged them to go. When you’ve heard a message on this you may have imagined going to Africa, Mexico or an urban soup kitchen, but for most of us going means going to work. The average American spends sixty to seventy percent of their waking hours on the job. Countless people at those places of employment are on a path to destruction.
If you spend 60% of your waking hours going to work, then you have an amazing mission field God has sent you to. If you envision the place you work as the mission field where God has sent you, would it change how you view your job? How you prepare for work? How you pray for work?
Over the next few weeks Mission Field: Work will help you prepare for the mission field – your job.
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