Let the Mission Begin

One of my sons' favorite TV shows is Little Einsteins. The show features classical music loving toddlers who fly a rocket ship all over the world solving mysteries and helping the downtrodden. Okay, so it is not exactly reality television. (But then again, reality television isn't real either is it?)

At the beginning of every Little Einsteins episode, the characters yell, "Let the mission begin!" One of my sons has taken to yelling that phrase now every time we leave home to go to school, or the grocery store, or wherever. I thought of those words as I read Matthew 10 today. I could hear the 12 disciples yelling, "Let the mission begin!" as Jesus sent them on their way throughout Israel. I wonder how the disciples felt as Jesus sent them off. Were they excited? Jesus said they could heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead! I think I would be pretty pumped for a missions trip like that. But then, of course, there was the rest of what Jesus said. He told them that they could be arrested and flogged and jailed. Jesus even said that some would view them as Satan! Now, I think the disciples might have been fearful rather than excited. The reality is that the disciples probably had a lot of emotions as they started their trek to minister to Israel.

I can relate to the mix of emotions. Ministering to people, helping to meet their needs, can be exhilarating, frightening, exhausting, and freeing all at the same time. But as I read Matthew 10, I am thankful that I have one advantage that the disciples on that first mission did not have. I have Jesus with me. Matthew 11:1 makes it clear that when the disciples went to do their ministry, they went alone. Jesus stayed behind and continued in His ministry alone. But, thankfully, I never have to go it alone. The book of Matthew will end with some very famous words: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." As I go about my work, I am thankful to know that I am not alone. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is with me to equip, to enable, and to encourage.