Go To Them

In the Christian tradition, Matthew 28:19-20 is known as the Great Commission. It has shaped the mission of the church for centuries, calling believers to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that Jesus has commanded us."

However, there is an often-overlooked nuance in this passage. The disciples, despite being commissioned to all nations, initially stayed in Jerusalem. The implications of the Great Commission were likely confusing to them initially. Being Jews, their interactions with non-Jews had been minimal. The idea of spreading the message of Christ beyond their community was likely a challenging concept to fully grasp.

Their initial hesitation was reflective of the cultural and religious norms of the time. It wasn't until the onset of persecution that they were forced to disperse, taking the Good News to different regions.

This historical fact has a profound implication for us as Christian entrepreneurs, leaders, and workers. We often assume that people will come to us because we have what they need. However, people may not know they need what we have, or they may not know where to find it. It is our responsibility to reach out to them.

Jesus made this principle abundantly clear when he said, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10). He did not wait for people to realize their need and find Him. Instead, He went to them.

In our businesses, in our ministries, and in our daily lives, we must take the initiative to find and serve our audience. This aligns with our discussion on understanding our audience from day 3, and it applies equally to creating a compelling message as we discussed on day 4. We must proactively understand their needs, craft our messages, and deliver them where our audience is.

In doing so, we are not just following sound marketing principles; we are embodying the spirit of the Great Commission, and most importantly, we are following the footsteps of Jesus, who came to seek and to save.

Questions

1. Reflect on how the principle of 'going to them' applies in your professional or personal context. Are there opportunities you may have missed because you were waiting for them to come to you?
2. How can you proactively identify and reach out to the people who need what you have to offer?
3. How might your approach change if you fully embraced the concept of going to your audience, instead of expecting them to come to you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Great Commission and the example of Jesus, who came to seek and save the lost. Help us to embody this spirit in our work and lives. May we not wait for others to come to us, but actively seek opportunities to serve, just as You have sought us. Guide us as we reach out, meeting people where they are, providing value, and glorifying You in all we do. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.