Before discussing missions or how the church exists today, let’s start with Jesus.
When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd.
Without this compassion, the church doesn’t matter much.
Jesus has compassion on the helpless, sinners, sick, and harassed. He wants to help and save them.
So He sends the 12 to speak peace and promise that the Kingdom of God is here now, bringing real healing, forgiveness, and peace.
The church isn’t a gathering place for the self-righteous imagining heaven. It’s Jesus in Word and Sacrament to save sinners. If Jesus isn’t in your church, why go?
Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat reality. Christians will face persecution, suffering, and the sword in this world.
But there will also be a present God.
The church’s health isn’t measured by freedom from persecution, size, influence, money, or programs. It’s measured simply by this: Is Jesus present? If doctrine is taught purely and sacraments are given for sinners, it’s a healthy church.
Jesus loves sinners, even the marginalized and harassed.
The church doesn’t need worldly success; it needs Jesus present to save, forgive, and heal those who don’t deserve it.
No amount of persecution can take this away.
This Lent we gather around the cross that forgives sins and rescues from death.
Jesus establishes a church today because he has compassion on sinners.
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.
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