THE CHURCH GATHERED AND SCATTERED – Part 1

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘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.’”  (Matthew 28:16-20 NKJV)

In worship Jesus extends invitation for us to come to Him, He wants us to rest. He wants us to learn of Him and lean on Him. But He also wants us to go for Him. He not only wants us to be the gathered church, He also wants us to be the church scattered.

There is a classic occasion in the Gospels that illustrates the challenge of this truth. It is usually called “The Transfiguration” (see Matthew 17). Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and went to the top of the mountain, where Jesus was transformed before them. Jesus talked with Moses and Elijah. Peter became so captivated by it all that He said, “Lord, we are having such a good time, let’s stay here! Let’s build three booths and stay here forever! Let’s freeze time. Let’s eternalize this moment.” But Jesus said to Peter: “No, Peter, we didn’t come up here to stay. This is a come and go affair. We have come up, but we must go down. There is a distraught father in the valley who needs help. A sick boy needs healing. There is a woman who has been hemorrhaging for twelve years and needs healing. There is an unbelieving, stumbling, and fumbling church that needs better organization. Let’s go down.” 

-- Adapted from “Encountering Jesus” by Zan W. Holmes, Jr.

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