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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “A mission field”. In Christianity, a “mission field” can refer to a specific geographical location where missionaries are sent to spread the gospel. The term emphasises a context where there is a need to meet physical and spiritual needs and share the message of faith. We shall reflect on the fact that a mission field offers us the opportunity to build bridges of hope and reconciliation between the lost and dying and God.

Beloved in the Lord, many in the mission field need to be saved, reconciled to God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to witness. Our mission in a mission field is to be available to be sent and be willing to preach the Good News.  Acts 8:14-17 describes how, after Philip preached the gospel to the Samaritans, who then believed and were baptised, the apostles Peter and John were sent from Jerusalem to them. Upon their arrival, the apostles prayed and laid hands on the new believers, and they received the Holy Spirit, who had not yet come upon any of them. This event affirmed that the gospel was for Samaritans as well as Jews, and demonstrated the apostles’ role in officially welcoming new believers into the community. The Gospel not only reconcile the unsaved to God but it also builds bridges of unity and peace among people who hitherto had been enemies. This is why Paul wrote, “… in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:26-29) Let us go into the mission field of the 21st century and win back people who are backsliders and those who have never encountered our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for in the mission field “… faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:17). Let us continue the mission of the Apostles and evangelists of the early church who by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit preached the Gospel and brought many to saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In summary, we have discovered that a mission field offers us the opportunity to build bridges of hope and reconciliation between the lost and dying and God. It also takes away divisive barriers and reconciles us as children of God to be empowered by the Holy Spirit for greater works. A church that fails to send people into the mission field will not grow, and a growing church is mission-oriented. Jesus instructs us to “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19-20) Shalom.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit empower us in the mission field to save the lost and dying through the preaching of the Gospel. Amen.