ON A MISSION

Did Jesus minimize the importance of family?  No, He maximized the importance of being on a mission!  At a glance, the events of Mark 3:20-35 may lead us to believe that Jesus was blowing off His family, but when we look deeper we can see that Jesus was making it clear that following Him, with all of who we are, is what He wants to be primary in our lives.  The message of God to make our families; including spouse, children and extended family; a top priority in life is very clear throughout the Bible!  Also clear, but often overlooked, is the call of God for us to be on a mission.  When I say mission I mean, "Navy Seal, let's get down and dirty because lives are at stake mission".  When we listen to Jesus, it is clear that He was on a mission... "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full"... "if your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off"... "whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me"... "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done".  Often we are too distracted by the things of this culture to live on a mission with Jesus.  When we consider the mentality of a soldier on a mission we can reconsider our mentality and priorities as God's people on a mission with Jesus.  A soldier listens attentively to his superior, a soldier is keenly aware of his enemy, a soldier is sensitive to the value of life, and a soldier realizes the importance of his fellow soldiers and that decisions he makes will affect their lives.  The metaphor runs deep, if we consider daily the lives at stake in the battle we fight as disciples of Jesus.  We have been called to a mission!  Are you on a mission today?