Sent Like Jesus

By now many of us have enjoyed Eugene Peterson’s translation of John 1:14 in The Message; “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.”

It sounds so homey and down to earth---Jesus moving into the neighborhood. We can imagine it and think about what it would be like to have Jesus walking around our block. I wonder if he’d hang out with the neighbor guys as they work on cars together. Maybe he’d take the time to scooter with all the kids who fly by every day.

John doesn’t let us stay there too long. In John 20:21 he lets us in on the scene when Jesus appears to the disciples after his resurrection. Jesus says, “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”  If I’m sent in the same way Jesus was sent, I guess that means He’s expecting me to not just live in my neighborhood, but fully engage it neighborhood life---to totally move in.

We’re quickly approaching the advent season when we celebrate Jesus “moving into the neighborhood.” These weeks would be a great time for small groups to find ways to be sent like Jesus into the neighborhoods God has placed us in. It looks like my small group is going to be Salvation Army bell ringers for an afternoon. Another group is bringing cookies to the police and fire stations. Another is hosting a party for their subdivision. I’m looking forward to see what God does as we take seriously being sent like Jesus. 

By now many of us have enjoyed Eugene Peterson’s translation of John 1:14 in The Message; “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.”

It sounds so homey and down to earth---Jesus moving into the neighborhood. We can imagine it and think about what it would be like to have Jesus walking around our block. I wonder if he’d hang out with the neighbor guys as they work on cars together. Maybe he’d take the time to scooter with all the kids who fly by every day.

John doesn’t let us stay there too long. In John 20:21 he lets us in on the scene when Jesus appears to the disciples after his resurrection. Jesus says, “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”  If I’m sent in the same way Jesus was sent, I guess that means He’s expecting me to not just live in my neighborhood, but fully engage it neighborhood life---to totally move in.

We’re quickly approaching the advent season when we celebrate Jesus “moving into the neighborhood.” These weeks would be a great time for small groups to find ways to be sent like Jesus into the neighborhoods God has placed us in. It looks like my small group is going to be Salvation Army bell ringers for an afternoon. Another group is bringing cookies to the police and fire stations. Another is hosting a party for their subdivision. I’m looking forward to see what God does as we take seriously being sent like Jesus.