2023 02 08

Good morning.

As followers of Christ, we are not only created for and saved for a purpose, we are sent out on purpose. Jesus said: "As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world." (John 17:18)

As Terran Williams says, the key word in the verse is the word 'as'. How did the Father send the Son?

• The Son was sent out of His comfort zone: Jesus had uninterrupted intimacy with the Father and Holy Spirit. He leaves that and lives in a human body amongst people in a sinful world who are oppressed by legalistic religion and Roman rulers.

• The Son was sent into the culture: He was in the culture, not of the culture. He built a bridge of common ground with culture of the day.

• The Son was sent to be accessible to the people: Jesus built relationships and shared meals with all kinds of people.

May Paul's words be our battle cry: "I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."

(Acts 20:24)

"So send I you

My strength to know in weakness

My joy in grief

My perfect peace in pain

To prove My power, My grace,

My promised presence

So send I you eternal fruit to gain"

(E Margaret Clarkson)

Blessings.

Mike and Daphne