Saturday 08 August 2015

Psalm: Psalm 64

Background

We often overlook the two pronged nature of the mission of thedisciples of Jesus. They were sent out to preach and to serve.Preaching about the kingdom of God and performing acts ofcompassionate service complement each other. As every Methodistknows preaching, teaching and compassionate social action allbelong together in God's mission.

One of the great dangers in mission lies in ignoring socialaction and limiting mission to preaching and teaching. When Jesussent out the 12 they were to trust in God's care and becomeinvolved with those to whom they were ministering. That is why theyhad to stay in one place in each town and be seen by the community.They had to involve themselves in the life of the community.

Mission requires engagement and a willingness to serve as wellas preach. The key to what the disciples are doing is a combinationof compassion and message. It is not enough to tell people that Godloves them, they need to experience that love and see that love inaction.

There is also a temptation to think that mission is for theprofessionals. Jesus sent out the 12 to do the work he couldn't do,but they were a rather motley crew. He sent the Holy Spirit atPentecost (Acts 2:1-13) so that we could all share in hismission. We do this in lives lived out in communities of differentkinds - work places, schools, homes, shops - wherever people meet.We are all sharing in God's mission and our commission is "toproclaim the kingdom of God and heal".

To Ponder

• Where is God already at work bringing healing to yourcommunity? How can you join in?

• How can you resource others for mission where you live, in yourwork and in your leisure?