CHRISTIANS AS SENT ONES.
"As Thou has sent Me into the world, even so have I sent them into the world" (Joh_17:18).
"As My Father hath sent Me, even so I send you" (Joh_20:21).
Have we ever realised that as Christians we take the place of Christ in the world? We are to occupy in His stead till He come (2Co_5:20). As the Father sent the Son, so has the Son sent you-after the same manner, and for the same purpose. If we would see our true relationship to the world as sent ones, let us see how the Father sent the Son.
I. He was Sent as One who did not belong to the World. He made the world, but the world knew Him not. He came as the Son of God. "That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." "This is My beloved Son." "As My Father sent Me, even so send I you." "Now are we the sons of God." Therefore doth the world hate you. Having been saved out of the world, separated from it by a new and divine life, imparted to us by the Holy Spirit, we are now sent into it as witnesses against it and as ambassadors for God.
II. He was Sent in Love to the World. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" (Joh_3:16). Love for the perishing constrained the Father to send His Son. "As My Father sent Me, even so send I you." The love of the Father still burns in the heart of His Son. "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature" (Mar_16:15). Does this love constrain us? Is the love of God shed abroad in our hearts? Have we the same motives for serving God that Christ had? Would we be equally zealous in our Christian work if we received no wages nor any favour from man?
III. He was Sent to Reveal the Character of God (Joh_17:6). "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father." "I and My Father are One"-One in nature, likeness, and purpose. "As My Father sent Me, even so send I you." Does the world see Christ in us? Can we say, "He that hath seen me hath seen Christ Jesus?" Did Paul not mean this when he wrote, "To me to live is Christ?" "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1Co_11:1). "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" (Gal_2:20).
IV. He was Sent to Declare the Word of God (Joh_17:8-14). "I have given them the words which Thou hast given Me." Oh, how faithfully did Jesus deliver the words which the Father gave Him to speak! "As My Father sent Me, even so send I you." Are we declaring the whole counsel of God as Jesus Christ did? See how like their Lord in this respect Peter and John were: "We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (Act_4:20).
V. He was Sent to Give His Life a Ransom (Mar_10:45). "He came not to be ministered unto, but to give His life." "As My Father sent Me, even so send I you." Are we willing and ready, as He was, to yield up our lives wholly for the glory of God the Father? Our Lord and Master girt Himself with the towel of lowly service, and was obedient unto death. Have we girt ourselves with that lowly mind which was in Him? What a privilege is ours to give our lives that we might minister the things of God to weary, perishing souls around us!
VI. He was Sent Equipped with Power from on High (Mat_3:16). The Lord anointed Him with the Holy Ghost that He might preach, heal, deliver, and recover (Luk_4:19). He was empowered by Him who sent Him for the work given Him to do. "As My Father sent Me, even so send I you." Ye shall receive power by the Holy Ghost coming upon you. If the sinless Saviour., Jesus, could not accomplish all the will of God concerning us without this endowment, no more can ye. Are you sowing to the flesh or to the Spirit? Christ’s way of service must be ours-through the eternal Spirit.
Autor: James Smith