Matthew 4:19 – “Come, follow me,”Jesus said,“and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Jesus Himself was the first missionary! He did not sit by passively and let those who happened to be interested in his teaching come to Him. He went out where the sick, the sorrowing, and the sad were, and expounded his message of joy, healing, and salvation. Even at a tender age, he went to the temple and “taught” the doctors and lawyers who were entrenched in the old traditions. He found his way to the seaside and intruded upon the life of the commonest of laborers, saying, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Wherever he went He challenged, uprooted, and changed men. And at length they nailed him to a cross because he had upset their selfish, secure, smug way of life. Not only was Jesus a missionary, but he pledged his followers to be missionaries, too!

The power to proclaim the greatest news in heaven or on earth was not given to the angels. It was given to redeemed people. This was addressed to humble laypersons. Some think that only ministers are to preach, but that is wrong. Every Christian is to be a witness; every follower of Christ is to preach the gospel. We can preach by sharing our experience with others. We can preach by exalting Christ in our daily lives. Sermons which are seen are often more effective than those which are heard. The truth is: the best sermons are both heard and seen. They are a sort of audiovisual testimony.

Prayer: Wherever I go, it is a mission field for You, Lord. Help me to be conscious of this, so that I may tell others the joyous message.
(Taken from Billy Graham’s daily devotional.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUZipbSN0r0

-AP