By Phyllis Powell
It’s been over two thousand years now since a small group of Jesus followers stood on the top of a mountain to hear the last words spoken to them by the One they had followed for over three years. Had watched perform literal creative miracles. Heard words spoken in love and compassion to the lonely outcast, and in powerful authority to every disease and demon brought upon His creation by the unseen dark spiritual force who had grabbed power from Adam and Eve–God’s perfect creations–in a perfect world.
But there was a plan. A perfect plan. A plan that had, in fact, been in place even long before Adam and Eve and their earthly paradise were created.
The plan included the Creator Himself coming here to His now-cursed creation to snatch back those keys and destroy that curse. And bring hope, power, and a tool for His followers to use.
That tool was evangelism. It was to become JOB ONE in the Kingdom He brought down from heaven to earth.
How do we know it was JOB ONE? Well, to bring it a little closer to our own experiences, can you think of a time when your mother, father, or even a spouse, was leaving you “in charge” while they had to be away? Remember how there was always a list of things about which you were told to be mindful in their absence? Maybe you were to watch any younger ones also left behind. Perform some mundane chores. Whatever. But, rest assured, the MOST IMPORTANT thing was the LAST THING spoken right before that authority figure walked out the door. Something like “Don’t forget to add water to the pot on the stove or dinner will be ruined!” (If you lived in the country, that was probably a big pot of ham and beans). THAT was the job to which you had better give the most of your attention! That was your JOB ONE. And would be the FIRST JOB Mom checked on when she came back home. And praise or repercussions would be doled out according to your handling of that job.
That last day on earth, Jesus gave His followers His JOB ONE chore: ‘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).
Yes. AMEN!
That “go therefore” is EVANGELISM. The job of evangelism was born with those words. It was the last thing on His mind before He physically left His followers here. Ah, but He made sure to let them know even though He was not physically going to be present, He was still going to be IN CHARGE, and that He would give them (us) the power needed to accomplish His most important task.
“I am with you always.”
He’s not gone.
And guess what? He is coming back, and will know how we handled that job of evangelism. Oh, it has since been dubbed “The Great Commission.” But it is evangelism.
The actual title of “evangelist” is included in the fivefold ministries listed in Ephesians 4:11: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” But the actual ministry TITLE of “evangelist” has, in the past few decades, sadly dwindled to become almost a rarity. But the JOB of evangelism can still be carried out according to His plan!
“All the world” includes the cashier who rings up your groceries. The co-worker with whom you spend many hours a day. The neighbor. Even people you will never meet but can “talk to” on various online forums.
The opportunities are limitless. And He will be with you, adding His power and authority to your words and actions. Go be an evangelist!