"Go"

Yesterday was the day I was supposed to read Matthew 28. One of the places I'm reading right now is  through all four of the gospels. I do this a couple of times a year. I reread this section this morning, before I plunged into Mark 1.

Matthew 28:16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! (dan note: I still find this fascinating - they were looking at the risen Jesus, whom they had seen deader than a hammer - and some of them STILL didn't believe He was the Messiah. Incredible!)

  18 Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Jesus said "...go..."

We always think this means go to the "deepest, darkest jungles of Africa" & spend your life living in a mud hut preaching on the street with a huge black Bible in your hand.

Not!

"Go" could mean anything, anywhere, anytime.

"Go" could mean start listening to your coworkers & caring about them, & start pointing them to Jesus.

"Go" could mean start talking to your neighbors & caring about them, & start pointing them to Jesus.

"Go" could mean start going to prisons or nursing home, listening & caring & pointing.

"Go" could mean making yourself available to be used wherever needed at the church we're a part of - serving as helping hands to leading something or someone

"Go" could mean spend part of your summer helping out somewhere in town, or in state, or in the country, or overseas, from doing mundane things (painting) to leadership (sharing the truth about your life as a Christ follower with people)

"Go" can mean anything, anywhere, at any time, with any one. God is VERY creative. If we're brave enough to say to God, "whatever", that's exactly what He'll use us in - whatever.

And His whatever will change many times over time.

Jesus' mandate was to "Go"

The question is will we? Or will we continue to secure our tidy, safe, prissy little lives?

Will we let God "undomesticate" us & live the wild, wide-open life He dreamed for us?

One other thing...

You & I are Christ followers today bc there was someone(s) will to "Go" - to share with us the reality, freedom, & grace of being a Christ follower.

Where would we be if those someones had chosen to continue to live their safe little lives & hadn't reached out for us?

I don't know about you, but I know I'd be dead, and in hell.

You & I are that "someone" for someone(s) around us.

"Go"