John’s Missionary Model

Uniqueness in the like Figure—Part 2

December 2023

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14) These are the words heralded forth by the angels to announce the birth of “A Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (V11). Although this ultimately points to a future Millennial Reign of Christ where the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, it also personifies the quality of life given to every man within whom the Spirit of Christ and the hope of heaven now dwells (Is.11:6; Rom.5:1).

However, at the time of Jesus’ death, the world seemed farther from that peace than it ever had in history. The Prince of Peace—slaughtered. The disciples of peace—scattered. The message of peace—silenced! Yet, in his glorified flesh, here stood the Risen Lamb asserting again a familiar phrase: “Peace be unto you” (John 20:21a).  The timid team of dazed disciples were recovering from their shock of Jesus’ death and awe of His resurrection. Less than a week before, after Jesus washed their feet and walked them to the Garden where some hours later, he would be taken and they would be scattered, he assured them that upon his departure, he would give them peace. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you” (John 14:27). Peace is the calming rest in the soul of a saint because he is convinced that the Lord is in control of his life, the circumstances around his life, and his pathway forward in this life. It is this peace to which Jesus referred and reassured his disciples now in the upper room.

He followed His admonition of peace with John’s record of the Great Commission: “as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:21b).  In the like figure as to how the Father sent Jesus into a hostile domain, so now He (Jesus) was sending them into the same kind of stronghold . The Greek word used to describe Jesus’ commission from the Father (ἀποστέλλω) means one who is sent on a mission with authority but under authority himself. Jesus modeled for His disciples what He was now sending them to do—to go with peace unto a world of turmoil to offer them peace as He offered it to them.

The same model continues to hold true of all those who are made disciples of Christ today and are sent in His Name to the regions beyond. Missionaries are sent into harsh cultures under hard circumstances to encounter hellish conflicts that the Gospel message of peace may be furthered. Jesus offers His peace first to the goers, but also to the getters.

Praying & Plodding,

 

 

 

GFF General Director