Missional Loft

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Don’t miss the snake this Easter!

Easter is About Participating in the Mission of God

 

“Well, if it were a snake, it would have bitten you!” Ever heard that expression? It means that something is right in front of you and is so blatantly obvious, but for some reason, you don’t see it. Has that ever happened to you?

A few weeks ago we visited an adult Sunday School class at a large church in our area. And it was as if a huge snake was in the room – but no one paid any attention.

The passage being studied was John chapter 20 which highlights the Easter story including the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and Thomas, and concludes with John stating the purpose for which he wrote his gospel. A key passage to discuss this Easter season!

The group dissected the passage for well over an hour. They talked about how the linen cloths were laid (vs 5-7) and addressed the shroud of Turin and other archaeological evidence. They discussed Jesus’ relationship with Mary Magdalene and how she must have felt (vs. 10-18). They discussed what it must have been like for the fearful disciples (v 9-21) to have Jesus appear before them and the admonition of Jesus “Peace be with you!” A large discussion centered on whether Thomas (vs 24-29) could be seen as “doubting.”

 

But They Missed the Obvious. Didn’t Even Notice It. Wasn’t Even Mentioned.

Right there. In red letters (if your Bible version has the words of Jesus in red) was what Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.”

Wow! Just as God the father had sent Jesus to become incarnational and to “dwell in the neighborhood,” to be a light to the world, so too, Jesus is sending his disciples to do the same.

The mission of God (missio Dei) is the overarching narrative of Scripture, revealing God’s redemptive work in the world. Central to this mission is the sending of Jesus Christ, the Son, who fully participated in the Father’s plan to reconcile humanity and all of creation to Himself. From the incarnation to His death and resurrection, Jesus embodied the divine mission, demonstrating God’s love, justice, and mercy in the world. His participation in this mission culminated in the Easter event, where His death and resurrection secured salvation for all who believe. Sentness is at the core of the Easter story – Jesus participating in the mission of God and sending his followers to do the same.

 

Jesus’ Incarnation and Ministry as Participation in God’s Mission

God the Father sent Jesus into the world as the ultimate expression of His love and redemptive plan. John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The incarnation—God taking on human flesh—was the beginning of Jesus’ earthly mission. By becoming human, Jesus dwelt among people, experiencing their suffering, demonstrating divine compassion, and proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus participated in God’s mission by preaching the good news, healing the sick, casting out demons, and restoring broken lives. Luke 4:18-19 summarizes His mission when He read from Isaiah in the synagogue: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” These actions reflected the heart of God’s mission—to bring restoration, hope, and salvation to a lost world.

 

The Easter Event: The Fulfillment of Jesus’ Mission

The culmination of Jesus’ mission on earth was His death and resurrection, which we celebrate as the Easter event. Jesus’ crucifixion was not an accident but a divine necessity in God’s plan of redemption. In John 10:18, Jesus affirms His voluntary participation in the Father’s mission: “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” His suffering and death on the cross atoned for the sins of humanity, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:5: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

 

The Followers of Jesus Are Sent to Participate in God’s Mission

The resurrection of Jesus on the third day was the ultimate victory over sin and death, affirming God’s power and faithfulness in His mission. Following His resurrection, Jesus further emphasizes the role of His disciples in God’s mission. In John 20:21, He tells them, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” This declaration reveals the continuation of God’s mission through His followers. Just as Jesus was sent to proclaim the Kingdom of God, His disciples are called to carry on this mission, spreading the gospel, serving others, and embodying Christ’s love in their daily lives. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers become active participants in God’s redemptive plan, extending His grace and truth to all creation.

Have we become so accustomed to the idea of sentness that we gloss right over it? Do we not see that from Genesis to Revelation God is sending himself, sending his son, sending the Spirit, and sending us to join in his work with over 100 times being sent is mentioned? Have we forgotten why Jesus came and what we as followers of Jesus are sent to be, to do, to say because of it?

To learn more about how God sends, download the attached PDF poem that gives an overview of “sentness” with more than 70 scripture references.

Let’s put sentness back into Easter!

 

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