December 2016
The Birth of the First Missionary
Saroj Kumar, Missionary, BYM
John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, that he gave
his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not
perish but have eternal life.”
Once again the satellite cameras are getting ready to
take some of the magni? cent pictures on the eve of
Christmas around the world. Last year they were
zooming the mega cities of the world with the
decorated street-lights that were so special during
Christmas. Indeed Christmas is a time of celebration
and joy. It's the celebration of the arrival of the Light of
the world, Lord Jesus Christ. How did this delight of
heaven come to us? And how did its ambience make
such an impact on the world?
We cannot deny one thing that the Light was sent for us.
If His light transformed the darkest corners of the world
into extraordinary communities, its only because He
was sent. Yes, in the words of the missionary David
Livingstone, “Jesus Christ was sent as a missionary to
earth by His Father.”
Christmas is not only the birth of a baby in the manger
but also the birth of the First Missionary.
Dangers are a part of missionary carrier and God has
plans to protect His servants. The early missionaries
travelled with less facilities. Voyages by ship were
hazardous because of storms. They faced shipwrecks.
Jim Eliot and his friends knew the dangers of reaching
the Aucas. Every day they left their wives and children
to the inlands not sure of their own return. Their love for
Christ was much more than the safety of their own
lives.
Are you afraid that people might mock you when you
go out for God? Do you stay back just because people
might insult you? Have you turned down the call of
becoming a missionary because of the dangers
involved? Look to Jesus. He came in spite of dangers.
Sent In Spite of Differences
John 4:9 - “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan
woman. How can you ask me for a drink?”
Jews never associated with the Samaritans. The
Samaritan woman was just following the custom of her
day. And Jesus wanted to bridge that division. Jesus had
enough reasons to keep Himself separated from the
'sinners' in order to maintain His heavenly dignity. But
He was sent by God to love the worst of the sinners. He
came to remove the class and caste differences.
Sent In Spite of Dangers
Mat 2:13 - “Get up,” “take the child and his mother
and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for
Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
Today, even Christians identify themselves with their
class and caste. What a tragedy! We should not forget
that we are all brothers and sisters in the family of God.
Dangers ensnared baby Jesus who came to save the
people from their sins. The king sought to kill the baby
but God's providence protected Him. All through His
life, Jesus faced danger from the religious leaders of
His day (Luk 4:29). Dangers awaited Him everywhere,
but nothing could stop Him from coming as a
missionary.
The ?rst missionaries who reached the dark countries
were mostly called as 'White Man.' Bartholomew
Zieganbalg came as a missionary from Germany to
South India. He had enough reasons to keep him away
from the dark, untouched people. But he was carrying
the burden of the Lord. He established the ? rst school
for girls in India. In a similar fashion, Willam Carey
struggled to abolish the 'Sati System.'
The First century Christians lived in the presence of
constant danger. If they preached, they were
questioned. If they prayed, it was reported. The charity
that they did was not permitted. Persecution separated
the loved ones and martydom was the norm of the day.
We are called to show the love of Christ to all people
irrespective of class, creed and colour. There must be no
differences amongst us. Jesus set us an example to
follow. There was a huge difference in class during the
time of Jesus. But His love binded them all. Yes! He
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