“May the LORD give you [great] increase, you and your children. May you be blessed of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, but the earth He has given to the children of men.” (Psalm 115:14-16 AMP)
“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority.” (Psalm 8:3-6 NLT)
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV)
“Now after John [the Baptist] was arrested and taken into custody, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the good news of [the kingdom of] God, and saying, “The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent [change your inner self–your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life] and believe [with a deep, abiding trust] in the good news [regarding salvation].” (Mark 1:14-15 AMP)
Have you ever wondered why you are here? I don’t mean just why are you living where you live, but, why do you exist? It seems like I have always known that my life is intended to go beyond the 9 to 5, make a living, raise a family, plan a vacation, prepare to retire, existence that is so common. Yet, at 61 years of age, it seems that this “normal life” has been just about all I have experienced. Don’t get me wrong, none of these things are “bad” things. I have actually been able to have many great experiences, make many great memories, and accomplish some valuable things. It’s just, in light of eternity, it all seems so small. So where do I go from here?
Here is something significant (even in light of eternity), I am here to re-present Jesus. I have been a born again believer, a follower of Jesus, for 53 years. I have attended Church for most of those years. During that time I can’t count how many times I have heard that I am an “Ambassador,” or a “Disciple,” or “Christian.” After a while these descriptions become religious words that translate into the hope that when this life ends I will avoid Hell and go to Heaven. As for now, other than committing a few less obvious sins, going to Church, and practicing some spiritual disciplines (prayer, Bible reading, etc.), I must admit that much of my life really isn’t much different than those who don’t follow Jesus. It seems that all of us (Christian or not), to one degree or another, simply fall in line with culture and live for today the best way we know how. I don’t know about you, but that’s not enough for me!
My born again, newly created, eternal spirit, screams out for more. More TODAY, not just a pacifying hope for the future. I am here to re-present Jesus NOW to a world that is dying to experience what He has to offer. It starts with introducing people to a savior. As vital as being forgiven of sin, and receiving the hope of Heaven is in a person’s life, simply helping people “hold on,” and “hold out,” for Heaven falls far short of what Jesus demonstrated when He walked this Earth. Living a decent, moral life on my way to Heaven, while the world “goes to Hell in a handbasket,” is not re-presenting Jesus well. Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom, not just a get forgiven and hang on Gospel.
Jesus said that the “Kingdom is at hand.” He emphasized bringing Heaven to Earth, far more than getting people to Heaven. He shared all of Heaven’s resources and solutions to those who came to Him, or the Father sent Him to, to meet their needs and solve their problems now. Never did He send someone away telling them to hang on to their need, or keep their problem, until they get to Heaven some day. Everyone who came to Him experienced Heaven now, and left a radically changed person. Jesus met every spiritual, physical, material, and emotional need. He gave salvation, healing, deliverance, provision, restoration, whatever was needed as He demonstrated the Kingdom of Heaven by setting captives free.
If I were Jesus, I wouldn’t have chosen Eric to entrust all of my resources to, but He did. I wouldn’t have risked my reputation by giving Eric the responsibility to re-present me, but Jesus did. It blows my mind, but Jesus has given me the opportunity, ability, and responsibility, to carry on the Father’s mission by proclaiming, and demonstrating, the Kingdom of Heaven to an even greater degree than He did. This is both thrilling and terrifying.
No wonder my spirit screams out for more. I am here to carry on where Jesus left off. It is the Father’s design and desire (Will) to give me the Kingdom (all of the resources, solutions, and supply of Heaven) in abundance so that being blessed I am able to be a blessing. My life has eternal value to give to everyone I meet.
No wonder I am thrilled and terrified by…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 134: “I am co-missioned with the Father, re-present the Son, a co-laborer with the Spirit, in the fulfillment of God’s Eternal Mission.” Part 2: Re-presenting the Son