Every follower of Jesus Christ has been called to into the mission of the Master to make disciples of all nations.
A Christian is someone chosen by God to draw near to Jesus Christ, believe in Him for salvation and eternal life, and then bear witness of Him to the rest of the world. It's really not complicated, but on a day when project deadlines loom, children are sick, or travel plans are cancelled, we quickly forget our calling and mission. Looking again at Jesus' instructions to the original Twelve in Matthew 10, we are reminded of several things about the Master's Mission.
"As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:7-8, NIV84)
The essence of the disciples' mission is exactly the same as Jesus' mission was among them. As He had preached and done among them, they were to go to "the lost sheep of Israel" to preach and do the same. Then, after Jesus completed His earthly mission of atoning for sin through His death, His mission for the disciples became much broader, as He commanded them to "Go and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:19). We can learn several things from Jesus' instructions to the Twelve in Matthew 10 as we apply those instructions to the mission Christians have today.
1. The disciple of Jesus must depend on God's provision. The Twelve were instructed to travel very light and depend on the hospitality of those who would receive their message.
2. The disciple of Jesus is sent out like sheep among wolves. Some villages and homes would welcome them, but others would outright reject them. They could expect to be arrested, punished, betrayed, and persecuted, made to suffer and even put to death.
3. The disciple of Jesus need not be anxious nor afraid. Jesus gave them several assurances because He knew that the rejection they faced could lead to worry or fear. The Spirit would speak through them, He assured, so they need not be anxious about what to say when arrested. Their message would one day be vindicated, so they should boldly proclaim it from the rooftops. Their enemies could, at worst, kill the body and not the soul, and they were very precious to their Heavenly Father.
Today, if you are a Christian, you have one fundamental mission to fulfill, the Master's mission of making disciples of all nations. Any current vocation or calling of yours should be a means for you to fulfill what the Master has called you to. And as you confess Christ before men, you will be welcomed by some and rejected by others. But anxiety and fear must never dissuade your allegiance to Jesus Christ. Your willingness to lose your life for His sake may even be tested. But, remember, if you lose any friends or family members over your allegiance to Christ, "you shall receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life" (Matthew 19:29). No suffering for Christ's sake, however severe it may be, can ever compare to the suffering of eternal condemnation in the Lake of Fire. And, those who receive your message stand to gain hope, healing, and eternal life.
The world is under condemnation for their sin and rebellion against God. People remain dead in their trespasses and sins and they will one day face the judgment and the second death. Since the problem of evil and sin lies within their hearts, the only solution for them is the life-changing power of God through faith in Jesus Christ. As foolish as it may seem to us, God chooses to send you and me to bear witness of Jesus Christ among them!
So, who will be the next person to hear you testify of Jesus Christ and receive the only One who offers eternal life? Whatever you do today, hopefully your Master's mission is still the ultimate goal you have in sight:
"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 command you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).