Mission Trip!

February 20, 2023 Monday Message:

Matthew 8:4 NLT: “Then Jesus said to the leper he had just healed, ‘Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.’”

Compare Jesus coming to earth to walk alongside mankind with going on a mission trip. You can do a lot of good, helpful things along the way, but there’s usually a primary mission, the main thing. Jesus healing the leper was good, but that’s wasn’t his primary mission, so don’t tell everybody. Don’t make a big deal out of it.

While on earth, Jesus straightened out misguided teaching of God’s commands. He healed those who needed healing. He could explain Torah with divine inspiration. But I believe that Jesus’ main thing, his primary purpose was to redeem mankind. Jesus was to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world – past sin, present sin and even future sins not yet committed. If a person would confess sinfulness and claim Jesus’ gift of grace as their own, they would be forgiven through their faith in God’s Son. The redeemed person would be given a ticket to heaven, an irrevocable promise of eternity in the presence of the Lord!

Jesus said no one can come to the Father except through him. If we choose Jesus, we become beneficiaries of his earthly mission. God’s desire is that none would perish and that all would return. Jesus went on a mission trip to make that possible!

Mission accomplished!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship