There have been Great Commissions, Great Awakenings, Great Revivals, and the Jesus Revolution, now we need a new personal commission, because we seem to be in a great falling away. World events, wars, famines, pestilence, and disease have taken their toll. Most people claim no religion, church attendance is dwindling, and many Christians have rejected their faith. It seems like most Christians have reacted by doubling their outside walls and separation from the world. This has caused an increasing distance between the words and deeds of Christians and the needs of the world. Some voices cry for another great awakening and another great revival, but what we really need is a new personal commission.
Jesus Christ’s personal commission in Samaria
It only takes a spark to get fire roaring. It only takes one person to change the world. Please take a moment to read about Jesus and the Samaritan Woman (John 4). Will you be the person who starts the personal commission?
- The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah comes,” (he who is called Christ). “When he has come, he will declare to us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who speaks to you.” (John 4:25-26)
- From that city many of the Samaritans believed in him because of the word of the woman, who testified, “He told me everything that I did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they begged him to stay with them. He stayed there two days. Many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of your speaking; for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” (John 4:39-42)
4:27-42 The disciples wondered that Christ talked thus with a Samaritan. Yet they knew it was for some good reason, and for some good end. Thus when particular difficulties occur in the word and providence of God, it is good to satisfy ourselves that all is well that Jesus Christ says and does. Two things affected the woman. The extent of his knowledge. Christ knows all the thoughts, words, and actions, of all the children of men. And the power of his word. He told her secret sins with power. She fastened upon that part of Christ’s discourse, many would think she would have been most shy of repeating; but the knowledge of Christ, into which we are led by conviction of sin, is most likely to be sound and saving. They came to him: those who would know Christ, must meet him where he records his name. Our Master has left us an example, that we may learn to do the will of God as he did; with diligence, as those that make a business of it; with delight and pleasure in it. Christ compares his work to harvest-work. The harvest is appointed and looked for before it comes; so was the gospel. Harvest-time is busy time; all must be then at work. Harvest-time is a short time, and harvest-work must be done then, or not at all; so the time of the gospel is a season, which if once past, cannot be recalled. God sometimes uses very weak and unlikely instruments for beginning and carrying on a good work. Our Saviour, by teaching one poor woman, spread knowledge to a whole town. Blessed are those who are not offended at Christ. Those taught of God, are truly desirous to learn more. It adds much to the praise of our love to Christ and his word, if it conquers prejudices. Their faith grew. In the matter of it: they believed him to be the Saviour, not only of the Jews but of the world. In the certainty of it: we know that this is indeed the Christ. And in the ground of it, for we have heard him ourselves. –Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
One personal commission can change the world
When Moses got discouraged, God revealed His glory (Exodus 34). Someday we will see that glory. But in the meantime we need to practice a personal commission…
- Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. (Matthew 26:13)
- Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. (Mark 14:9)
- First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. (Romans 1:8)
- Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: (Colossians 1:6)
- Don’t you say, ‘There are yet four months until the harvest?’ Behold, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and look at the fields, that they are white for harvest already. (John 4:35)
Lift up your eyes – See the Samaritans coming to hear the gospel.
They are white – Grain, when ripe, turns from a green to a yellow or light color, indicating that it is time to reap it. So here were indications that the gospel was effectual, and that the harvest was to be gathered in. Hence, we may learn:
- There is as much encouragement to attempt to save souls as the farmer has to raise a crop.
- The gospel is fitted to make an immediate impression on the minds of men. We are to expect that it will. We are not to wait to some future period, as if we could not expect immediate results. This wicked and ignorant people – little likely, apparently, to be affected – turned to God, heard the voice of the Saviour, and came in multitudes to him.
- We are to expect revivals of religion. Here was one instance of it under the Saviour’s own preaching. Multitudes were excited, moved, and came to learn the way of life.
- We know not how much good may be done by conversation with even a single individual. This conversation with a woman resulted in a deep interest felt throughout the city, and in the conversion of many of them to God. So, a single individual may often be the means, in the hand of God, of leading many to the cross of Jesus.
- What evils may follow from neglecting to do our duty! How easily might Jesus have alleged, if he had been like many of his professed disciples, that he was weary, that he was hungry, that it was esteemed improper to converse with a woman alone, that she was an abandoned character, and there could be little hope of doing her good! How many consciences of ministers and Christians would have been satisfied with reasoning like this? Yet Jesus, in spite of his fatigue and thirst, and all the difficulties of the case, seriously set about seeking the conversion of this woman. And behold what a glorious result! The city was moved, and a great harvest was found ready to be gathered in! “Let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” –Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Jesus commands personal commissions everywhere
The gospel has always been the best news ever. It has always provided a way for unrighteous sinful dying humankind to be justified righteous before God. That’s more than just good news, the personal commission is the best news ever.
- Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth. (Isaiah 49:18)
- Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; (Matthew 9:37)
- Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:38)
- Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. (Luke 10:2)
- Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; (Matthew 9:37)
- Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. (Luke 10:3)
- What is the gospel?
- The controversy of sin
- Does my help come from the hills?
- You can know you are saved