Sent by God
Sometimes we see messages in the Bible most clearly by stacking some verses together.
I want you to see what Jesus said about his own “purpose in life.” That sounds kind of funny to say, given that he is the Creator, God who has always existed and always will exist. 🙂
Still, let’s look at his life on earth when he became a human, for us. What was his sense of purpose? What was his focus?
Notice how often Jesus talked about being *sent*. Here are just a few:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed…” Luke 4:18
“I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” Luke 4:43
“Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work.'” John 4:34
“He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.” John 5:23
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life…” John 5:24
“This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6:29
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me;” John 6:38
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44
“But I have not come of my own accord; he who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” John 7:29,29
“…it is not I alone that judge, but I and he who sent me.” John 8:16
“And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.” John 8:29
“For I have not spoken on my own authority; the Father who sent me has himself given me commandment what to say and what to speak.” John 12:49
“…he who receives me receives him who sent me.” John 13:20
“And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
NOW COMES YOUR TURN. Brace yourself for this. Jesus:
“As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” John 20:21
In Jesus’ prayer to the Father, just before his crucifixion, Jesus tell us not only that we are sent, but why we are sent:
“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” John 17:18
“…so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” John 17:23
“I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:26
We are sent to tell others that Jesus came and he loves them. And Jesus remains with us in conveying that message!
In what ways do you see Jesus sending you?
By the way, in case you have never signed up for the series, “How to Talk about God” this might be a good time to do so. It will give you ideas, ways, you can tell others about Jesus. Go here and enter your name and email address to receive it:
http://www.startingwithgod.com/talk-about-god.html
