I like things to be fairly simple. I don't mind complexity, but, most of the time, I prefer straight-forward answers and explanations. In chapter 4, Jesus provides a fairly simple explanation of his understanding of his mission from God. This mission directs him to preach good news to the poor, pronounce freedom to the prisoner, restore the sight of the blind, and to release those bound by oppression. This is a radical mission! Essentially, Jesus indicates that his mission is to reach those whom society has cut off; those whom the world deems unnecessary or expendable. As you might expect with a radical message, this immediately places him at odds with a great number of people. These people even include those who watched him grow up, maybe even his childhood playmates. It was hard for them to accept this radical message from someone whom they had known his entire life.
Despite the radical nature of his message and work, Jesus invites others to share in this work. It is hard work, but work that must be done in order to fulfill the demands of the Kingdom of God. You and I have been invited to share in this mission. Notice one thing about this mission...nowhere does Jesus say that his mission is to found and maintain a "church". Yet the church will be maintained as it follows in the steps Jesus fulfilling his mission.
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