As followers of Jesus Christ, we’ve been enlisted.

In Matthew 9-11 and Luke 7 & 12, Jesus continues his ministry throughout Galilee with the Twelve (and possibly others).  He tells them “the harvest is great but the workers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send more workers.”

Jesus’ words here remind me of the famous slogan:  The Few, The Proud, The Marines!  

The power of the Few…  those who are fully committed to the cause…  those who are equipped and deployed to the front lines…  those who charge the gates of hell confident they will prevail.  If just 10% are fully committed to the cause, they can effectively impact the other 90%.  Movements begin with the Few.

Immediately after this, Jesus commissions the Twelve, giving them authority and sending them out on mission to preach and to cast out demons.

Jesus shares the vision… the harvest is great.

Jesus shares the need… the workers are few.

Jesus gives the challenge…  I am sending you.

Jesus gives the caution…  rejection, hatred, betrayal and persecution await.

Jesus asks for commitment…  take up your cross and follow me.

Robert Mounce’s interpretation of Mt 10:23 is interesting. “You will not fulfill your mission throughout the towns of Israel before the Son of Man returns victorious from the grave.”  The NIV and others interpret it “before the Son of Man comes.”  I love the picture Mounce gives. Victorious from the grave!  The challenge is huge.  The cost is great.  But remember this.  Victory has been secured!   We WIN!

Now I’m pumped just thinking about that!!!

How differently would you and I approach the mission Jesus has given us- to proclaim the Gospel to all creation and make disciples of all nations- if we lived confidently believing that victory had been secured?