Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Musing – What did Jesus mean by “Go into all the world…”?


Hebraic Musing – What did Jesus mean by “Go into all the world…”?
As I study a book on missions – “Perspectives”* –  I am puzzled by questionable concepts that seem to permeate typical Christian thinking, like…
·      Are Missionaries & Pastors super Christians with special callings? Peter calls all of us a “Royal Priesthood.”
·      Do you have to get on a plane, sacrifice vacation time and encounter a drastically different culture in order to be a missionary?  The world is all around us, every day!  The light that shines the farthest, shines brightest close to home.” – Garmond Mindt
·      Is evangelizing at “work” robbing your employer, or can divine opportunities come up?  Does “work” take away from “Ministry”?  There is a lot of social time available for witnessing spontaneously. 
·      Is there a difference between “Sacred” and “Secular”?  Not in God’s Hebrew-think!  It is all about Him!
·      Does the Bible say we can only talk about Jesus if our company is a “Not-for-Profit”?
Personal experiences tell me that there is a plethora of opportunities to be a missionary 24/7 as we are already “in the world”.  Here is just a sampling of everyday witnessing and discipling:
·      A Chicago diesel mechanic was sent by GM to Guinea, Africa, as a trainer.  He was loved and he witnessed.
·      Irene and I dine out frequently and we make it a point to learn the server’s name.  When he/she brings the meal, they always ask “Is there anything else I can do for you?”  We say “We are going to pray for our meal, would you like to join us?”  Responses vary but 90% say “Yes”.  And afterward we ask if there is any special need they would like us to pray for.  Frequently they reveal their serious need and a relationship develops – sometimes including salvation.  Everyone is carrying a prayer need deep down inside.
·      Flying to an out-of-town job site, a friend asked if we could have dinner some night that week.  Long story short; he accepted Christ a few months later.  For 30+years he’s been an active Christian leader in LasVegas.
·      A consulting colleague in England was practicing saying “Jesus Christ” as a guttural swear word.  So, risking persecution, I sang Jesus is the sweetest name I know.    No persecution, but 10 other colleagues in that board room found out where I stand.
·      While working as a consultant for three years in Europe, I was able to also serve as president of an evangelical organization, Business Men’s Fellowship, and conducted monthly dinner meetings.
·      As a coach, I prayed to Jesus with my youth soccer team before the game, and then realized there was a Jewish boy on the team.  After the game, the Holy Spirit again prompted me to thank Jesus for being with us in the game, and the Jewish boy chimed in “There were times out there I thought Jesus forgot us!”
·      Made two company owners who claimed to be atheists come to a Full Gospel meeting to hear my testimony.
·      My nephew traveled to China on business with two suitcases, one with personals and the other with Bibles.
Key – Businesses and businessmen can and do have access to the “Unreached” and “Hard to Reach” corners of the world.  Businesses and businessmen are welcomed everywhere, especially those of us from the U.S.
 Point to ponder
How many times have “Divine Opportunities” come up in your daily walk?
When Jesus said “Go into ALL the World” didn’t He realize we were already there?
If being a Christian was a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
Does evangelism require a calling, a theological degree, a special gift…or a willingness?
  Go tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere
Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      May 15, 2018

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings

*   Inspired by “PERSPECTIVES on the World Christian Movement” –  4th ed., Chapter- “Restoring the Role of Business in Mission  Steve Rundle  p. 757

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