Jesus explained to the apostles why he had to die. It is in the nature of things spiritual and physical. "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified." That is an unusual definition of the cross, when he "should be glorified." Emphasizing his next statement, Jesus began with: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a grain of wheat fell into the earth and die, it abides by itself alone; but if it die, it bears much fruit" (John 12:23-24). So, why must he die? He is a "seed," and it is in the nature of seed to die, as it is natural for the sun to give light, and the clouds to give rain. Jesus will not deny his nature! Fruitlessness is intolerable to Jesus, even for himself. He is well aware of what happens when a seed is sown. It is destroyed, but in the process of its death, it releases the germ of life that is within its hull. The outer crust must undergo decay, while the inner life realized its nature in reproduction.

In God's scheme of redemption Satan will have no ultimate victory over fallen humanity. God's providence and grace have made arrangements for the redemption of the total man. "And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your SPIRIT AND SOUL  AND BODY be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thes.5:23). The words "wholly" and "entire" both come from the same root word in Greek: "oloteleis." It implies totality, completeness, nothing lacking, integral with all its essential parts. As a plural adjective, it embraces "the whole you," which means "all of you," and "you all."

Our Bodies Belong To The Lord

"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants, for Jesus sake" (11 Corinthians 4:5).

These words have deeper meaning because they were spoken by one whose life was consistent with the letter and spirit of the above affirmation. Paul did not only preach such a noble concept, he also practiced it! Such a statement would not wear well on the lips of a Diotrephes, "Who loved to have the preeminence" (3 Jno.9). They would not well define the life of Demas, "who loved this present world" (2 Tim.4:10). But they are most appropriate for a man like Paul to claim.

God's purpose in creation, well determined before time, was intrinsically united with and graphically defined by the statement of the Apostle Paul in the book of Ephesians. "God created all things to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God." His "intent," reflected in the "eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord," was to accomplish the eternal salvation of fallen humanity. Amazing as was the "purpose", so was the amazing simplicity with which His plan was to be achieved. He would "build his church" (Matthew 16:18), and then commission it to "make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God" (Ephesians 3:9-11). In that "plan of the ages" (here called "the mystery') God would employ redeemed humanity to herald Christ's redemptive story to the unredeemed. Special personnel had to be God chosen, God called, God assigned, God trained in their message and then God authenticated in their mission.

Old Testament Background

I am honored that the thirty member graduating class asked me to speak at their "last supper." Do not fear seniors, I do not plan to "dip the cup" with any of you tonight. There are a number of problems associated with this assignment. The first derives from the fact that Ed has already taught you all you need to know. Then tomorrow morning you will receive your certificate of graduation proving that your educational process is now complete. So what can I teach you tonight that will help as you enter your field of ministry? I could tell you that there are at least sixty members of search committees from as many congregations that are ready to grab the first available graduate and offer him the pulpit in a dynamic, growing, upper middle-class, moderate size city church. The support package they have to offer is more than adequate, involving two annual vacations, retirement benefits included and hospitalization premiums all covered. They are ready to house you in a recently remodeled, four-bed room, double car garage home, for their preacher, and have external lawn service contracts already made with a local florist.

Never did the Lord intended that his mission assignment to the church be placed in some kind of holding pattern. It must be carried out "diligently" (or speedily, as the Greek insists in Titus 3:13). Jesus certainly never meant that the commission be ignored. He has not rescinded his mandate and does not want it placed on a "back burner" by those charged with its execution!

But it would be easy for today's aspiring missionary candidate to get an opposite impression. For in his quest for financial backing to send and sustain him on the field, he faces some of the most disheartening reasons for ignoring his plea. And those reasons are coming from the church that should eagerly grasp the opportunity to encourage and support him in his zeal for the lost. Not only do churches seem deaf to his plea, but also more often than not he is not even afforded the opportunity to present his plea! "And they all with one consent began to make excuse." (Luke 14:18). We know how the Lord reacted to the excuses offered in the context just cited: "I say unto you, that none of those men that were bidden shall taste of my supper." (vs.24). But what of our excuses with which we dismiss the missionary without any evident grimace of pain or expression of sorrow? The man is not unauthorized in his quest; his mission bears the force of heaven's laws. The one with the "nail-scarred hands" sent him to ask for your help. So please do not treat him as an unwelcomed intruder at the doors of the church treasury!