Outreach

Most Christians are familiar with the description of Christ’s mission found in Isaiah 61. “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,” Many of these people live in the urban core today. I believe that if we have the “Spirit of the Sovereign Lord” in us we will want to do the same. This is Christ’s vision and heart. This is Christianity. To care for the needy is Christian, to not care is something else.

But when we read on to verse four, we discover something profound, “They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.” This verse tells us that not only is Jesus reaching out to the hurting in the city; not only is He lifting them up with healing and strength, but He is going to use them to reclaim the cities! What an incredible calling and destiny.

If their calling is to save the city then our purpose must be to assist, train and encourage them for this mission. They must increase and we must decrease. Our role must be to serve and support them. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" Mark 10:45.