The Great Assignment: ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth
Finally, understand the Great Command is carried out through the Great Assignment.
Jerusalem – Our town/city
In our servanthood training, we translate our Jerusalem as the place where the Lord has planted us. Find Jerusalem on the map. It is a city. To Jesus’ disciples it was where they lived when He gave them the command. According to Matthew 28, Jesus sent word to His disciples to meet Him in Galilee where He gave them this command. But in the command, He first told them to go back and start where they lived, in Jerusalem! We’ve got to start at home, where we live, where the Lord has planted us. We are not here by accident. He planned for us to live where we live, with the family, neighbors and town He planned to be around us so that we would be His representative and witness among the people. Start at home and in your surrounding territory!
Judea – Our State
But then, don’t stop there – go to Judea. If you look at a map of the Holy Land, you will see clearly that Jerusalem is the city and Judea is the state with Jerusalem in it. Our Judea is the state where we live in our city. We must go to our city, but we must also go beyond the city limits to the state. There are all kinds of people in our state, hurting, lonely, disillusioned, despondent, hopeless people that God loves with all His heart! In fact, He loves them so much that He is sending us to them as His witnesses and representatives!
Samaria – Our Nation
And then, don’t stop there – go to Samaria. Again, look at the map of the Holy Land. Samaria is the neighboring state. Galilee, Samaria and Judah were all like our states – together they made up the nation of Israel. We can apply this to all of the states within our United States (or whatever country you live in).
World – All Nations
And finally, Jesus said, ye shall be witnesses unto me…unto the uttermost part of the earth. Of course, that’s the world. Since starting this ministry, I love going to the world preaching, teaching and witnessing the gospel of our Lord. But, we cannot, must not, be known for going to the world if we are not witnessing of our Lord where we live and to our neighboring state and states! Nor can we take the easy road and accept an assignment or two in our city, maybe state, or even neighboring states and not care about people of the world. We must be faithful and obedient to go to all of them!
We must take our Lord’s Commission, Promise and Assignment SERIOUSLY and PERSONALLY
Personally means – I must believe the Lord’s Word (Commission, promise and assignment) is meant for me as one Christian and our church as one church. Yes, the Lord’s Word is meant for all Christians and all churches, but whether they accept it or not, I must! We must! It is our commission, our assignment, our promise!
Seriously means – I must get serious about what the Lord has told me/us to do. I cannot sluff it off, thinking that there are a lot more people out there more gifted, better off financially, better located, educated, or whatever other excuse I might come up with.
And seriously means it is all my call and assignment. He did not call me/us to go to Jerusalem or Judea or Samaria or one of the countries of the world. He called and commissioned us to go to Jerusalem AND Judea AND Samaria AND the world. And I can’t excuse myself by saying, “I’ll pray for them,” or “I’ll give an offering.” My call and commission are to GO.