WEDNESDAY: MISSION + COMPASSION

KEY PASSAGE

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36

DEVOTIONAL

Emmanuel Church’s mission statement and Jesus’ great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) have a lot in common. Jesus told us to “go and make disciples of all nations;” and at Emmanuel we strive “to engage everyone everywhere, through connection with Christ and community.”

Jesus’ commission was one filled with compassion, and when Jesus was filled with compassion he gave of Himself.

When we give we see the heart and hand of God move. Jesus spent His life giving because He was moved by compassion. When His heart was moved, He moved. This does not mean that Jesus gave without sacrifice. There were many times Jesus gave, when by the world's standards, He had nothing to give. His dependence on His Father was the ultimate catalyst for the things He was able to do.

Living on mission keeps your attention focused on what is most important. For Jesus, his mission was people. For the people of Emmanuel our mission is to engage everyone everywhere. And everything that does not fall under that category, no longer becomes a priority.

CHALLENGE

If you do not have a mission statement for yourself or your family, take time to prayerfully craft one. Jesus’ mission was people, everything else that did not involve people became second priority. May our mission statement mirror Jesus’ life in some way.