[Giving Jesus Away] to Seek and to Saveنموونە

Jesus’ Purpose and Ours

When Jesus met the first of His twelve disciples, He said He would teach them how to fish for people (Matthew 4:19). His purpose was to seek and save the lost, and as far as He was concerned His disciples were to join in and do the same.

Jesus’ final words to His disciples are important as well. In the Great Commission, He told them to go and make disciples, baptizing people and teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded. This includes the command to make new disciples, which applied to the Twelve and to every generation of believers ever since—even you and me.

Jesus had a heart of compassion for the lost around Him; He wants us to have the same heart. He sacrificially gave of Himself so others could enter the kingdom; He wants us to dedicate ourselves to this purpose, too. Jesus told people both publicly and privately that life can be found only in Himself. He wants us to share that message. Just as the Father sent the Son, so Jesus is sending us out.

Often, people struggle to find any satisfying purpose in their lives. Year after year, they wonder if there is more to life than work, Friday nights on the town, and the next big vacation. As Christians, we do not need to live as if God’s purpose for us is unknowable. We are to make disciples. We are to seek lost sheep. We are to fish for men and women and boys and girls. This was Jesus’ purpose, and He passed it on to us. We are to do this regardless of our place in life.

Is your life in sync with Jesus’ purpose? Getting in step with Jesus begins with understanding His call. You might be a teacher, businessperson, scientist, or homemaker, but you also have a greater purpose—one Jesus defined: to seek and save the lost.

A Christian who has an opportunity to share Jesus with others is filled with joy and excitement. Shouldn’t we expect that, if giving Christ away is what we were made to do? That’s why I remember that day on the playground at Figarden Elementary School. It is not because I got bullied. It is not because a teacher praised me. It’s not because I won a game of tag. It is because on that day, though I did not know it at the time, I had entered into the purpose of God for my life. I was doing what He made me to do.