Are You On Mission?

After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. — John 7:1

First, about six months have passed since the end of chapter six and the beginning of chapter seven. John has not included several events that many of the other three gospels include. I list them in the notes below if they have any interest. Excluding these events is not an issue, as each author has their take on the life and ministry of Jesus.

Second, what I find most interesting, is that Jesus refused to go south for fear that the Jews might kill him.

So consider this for a moment. If God set you on a mission and told you the time, location, and means of its end, how would you respond? Would you be tempted to alter anything about it at any point? What if, in addition, others tried to distract or divert you from this mission? That's the situation here.

This means John is demonstrating how resolute Jesus lived. He had a mission. He knew the date of its completion. He is not going to mess with it. And he will not let others (friends or enemies) interfere with it. So Jesus takes the proper measures to protect God's mission and not go down to Judea.

But here is the problem with most men. They have their own mission. And on this mission, they have their own dreams, visions, and desires about how to live life. Many times these are in direct competition with God's mission. But they don't see that. Their biases so blind them that they will divert and distract others. In this case, people from Jesus's own race, religion, and even his closest disciples have a different mission for God. They think their plan for Jesus is better. But they are wrong. And they will learn, a little further down the road, that God's mission is the best mission, so it's best to get on board with it.

So it is time to evaluate. Are you living on your mission, or are you living on God's? Remember, his mission is better than yours.

ASK THIS: Are you living on your mission, or are you living on God's?

DO THIS: Make adjustments to your mission where needed. Or, if needed, get a whole new mission.

PRAY THIS: God, don't make my mission your mission. Just tell me your mission, and I am good with that.

PLAY THIS: Follow You Anywhere.

LIST OF UNMENTIONED EVENTS:

• Jesus heals the Canaanite woman’s daughter. – Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30
• Jesus heals a deaf man. – Mark 7:31-37
• Jesus heals many on a mountain near the Sea of Galilee. – Matthew 15:29-31
• Jesus feeds the four thousand. – Matthew 15:32-38, Mark 8:1-10
• Pharisees and Sadducees ask for a sign. – Matthew 15:39-16:4, Mark 8:11-12
• Jesus warns others of the Pharisees’ and Sadducees’ influence. – Matthew 16:5-12, Mark 8:13-21
• Jesus heals a blind man in Bethsaida. – Mark 8:22-26
• Peter confesses Jesus is the Christ. – Matthew 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-30, Luke 9:18-20
• Jesus foretells of His death & resurrection. – Matthew 16:21-28, Mark 8:31-9:1, Luke 9:21-27
• Jesus’ transfiguration before disciples. – Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36
• Jesus talks about Elijah and John the Baptist. – Matthew 17:9-13, Mark 9:9-13
• Jesus casts out a belligerent demon from a boy. – Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 9:14-29, Luke 9:37-43a
• Jesus foretells of His death & resurrection again. – Matthew 17:22-23, Mark 9:30-32, Luke 9:43b-45
• Jesus produces a coin to pay the Temple Tax. – Matthew 17:24-27
• Jesus teaches about service and gives warnings. – Matthew 18:1-11, Mark 9:33-50, Luke 9:46-50
• Jesus teaches about reclamation and ministering in His name. – Matthew 18:15-20
• Jesus teaches The Parable of the Unforgiving Slave. – Matthew 18:21-35
• Jesus refuses to destroy a Samaritan village. – Luke 9:51-56
• Jesus challenges his followers to full commitment. – Matthew 8:19-22, Luke 9:57-62