THY WILL BE DONE

          How would you summarize the ministry and mission of Jesus?  If we were to restrict our answers to the text of The Scriptures, a number of key passages ought to quickly come to mind.  In words spoken to Zaccheus, Jesus declared about Himself, The Son of Man has come to seek and save the lost (Lk.19:10).  But His ministry also included equipping others.  Thus we read in Jesus' call to Peter and Andrew - - Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men (Mt.4:19).  In teaching the household of Cornelius, Peter states:  You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good... (Acts 10:38).  The apostle John sums up the life-work of Jesus with two powerful assertions:  The Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world (1Jn.4:14b) and The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil (1Jn.3:8b).  Both texts articulate and encapsulate the marvelous ministry of Jesus, God’s only begotten Son. 

          The words we use in praying to God often reveal much our own “mission statement” (Lk.6:45).  Such was the case with Jesus.  In providing a model prayer for His disciples, Jesus prayed:  Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done... (Mt.6:10).  At the ripe young age of twelve (Lk.2:49), Jesus realized that He had to be about His Father's business (i.e., doing His Father’s will).  In the early days of His adult ministry, Jesus told His disciples, My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work  (Jn.4:34 - - cf. Jn.5:30).  Another verse from John’s Gospel account offers what might be considered THE VERY BEST SINGULAR MISSION-STATEMENT DECLARATION regarding the ministry and work of our Lord Jesus Christ:  I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me (Jn.6:38).  In the shadow of the cross of crucifixion, Jesus earnestly prayed that this “cup of suffering" would be removed, but he closed his prayer stipulating, Yet not My will, but Thine be done (Lk.22:42).

          As Christ-ones and members of The Way (Acts 9:2), we must walk as Jesus walked - - willing to do God’s will.  This is our preeminent charge.  To do so links us eternally with our Lord and Savior.  Indeed, Jesus declares, Whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and My sister (Mt.12:50).  In that tumultuous first-century, when New Testament saints were witnessing an Old Testament age that was passing away (Heb.8:13), John provides a wonderful word of exhortation - - THE ONE WHO DOES THE WILL OF GOD ABIDES FOREVER (1Jn.2:17).      

                                                     Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ