Christ’s Incarnation and the Missional Entrepreneur

As we think about the time when God sent his son, let’s also reflect upon the amazing truth that Jesus has sent us into the world. On the night he was betrayed, Jesus prayed to his Father: “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”1 Later, when Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection, he told them: “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”2

In his article, “Sent into the World: Jesus’ Mission and Ours,” pastor and author David Mathis points out that this high calling upon followers of Jesus is a motivation for us not to focus on our own mission, but joyfully to carry the message of His:

Such a sending should be awe-inspiring, whether our particular sending includes a change in geography and culture, or simply a fresh realization and missional orientation on our lives and labors among our native people. But what are we “sent ones” sent for? What is this sending about anyways? . . .

This is where the Advent reminder is so essential. We are sent as representatives of the one born in Bethlehem and crucified at Calvary. We are sent to announce with all we are — with mouth and mind and heart and hands — that the Father sent the Son. 3

During this next week, let’s rejoice even more fully in the blessing of the incarnation, and ask for grace to proclaim the beauty and goodness of that message “with mouth and mind and heart and hands” in the places he’s sent us.

Verse of the Week:

May we all grow in awe and reverence of the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us!