Not on Pause; Still on Mission

“Not on Pause; Still on Mission”
by Professor Ed Stetzer
March 22, 2020

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 

• John 20:19-21

This is our moment to show faith, not fear, as a church. Because of Jesus, we have every reason to be an unfrightened church. We may not know all the details about the moment we’re in, but we know about the mission we’re on. We’re not on pause; we’re still on mission. 

In John 20:19, when Jesus was resurrected from the dead, there was fear among his disciples. They were afraid of the Jewish leaders, afraid of persecution, and rightfully so! They were gathered in an upper room, behind closed and even locked doors, but Jesus in his new body came into the room anyway. He said: peace be with you. When Jesus says something twice, we should really pay attention to it. 

We see the seriousness of the coronavirus and even the danger it brings, but we still have a gospel opportunity. God is sending us into a broken world the same way he sent Jesus to us. 

1. Fear is the Opposite of Faith

Fear does not come from God. Fear is the opposite of faith. Sometimes when we experience fear, we respond by locking ourselves away. We know that a crisis is coming, but we have a choice: do we respond in fear, or do we respond in faith?

Sometimes, our first and instant response is to fear. In scripture, the angels say over and over again, “do not fear, do not fear.” We naturally get afraid. At the moment when people around us are frightened, we need an unfrightened church. We need Christians to be ready to show and share the love of Jesus in the midst of a broken and hurting world. 

Our job, regardless of the moment we’re in, is to be witnesses to Jesus. The crisis upon us is not an opportunity for fear, but it is an opportunity for faith. Followers of Jesus need to respond differently than the rest of the world. 

2. Peace is the Christian Response

We have the peace that passes all understanding because of Jesus. Be that person for other people. As the world looks to us, let them see a confidence that comes from God. 

In Philippians 4:7, we see that peace is the Christian response, not fear or panic. The world looks to us because of Jesus. We do not need to be nervous. We have his peace.

3. The Cross is Always Our Hope and Motivation

Jesus brought peace and hope to the disciples locked away in the upper room. When they saw the Lord’s hands and side, they rejoiced because they could see that Jesus had defeated death. 

Whether we get sick or we don’t, whether we die or whether we don’t, we are the Lord’s  (Romans 14:8). If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are the Lord’s, no matter what happens, and that is enough! 

4. We always Go Because Jesus Came to Us

At the height of the passage in John 20:19-21, Jesus says that as the Father has sent him, so I am sending you. God sends Jesus, and Jesus sends us. He has sent us to the moment we’re in. If this is our moment, the mission remains the same: to love God and to love our neighbor. 

This is the time for followers of Jesus to show and share the love of Jesus, in the midst of a very confusing time. Historically, Christianity has grown the fastest in the midst of crises. During the plagues in the early years of Christianity, Christians ministered to others. Their deeds spoke the gospel message and showed everyone Jesus through their love. 

In Isaiah 6:8, the prophet says to the Lord, “send me,” and he was sent out to the world that Jesus was sent to. Let us say, in response to this moment that we’re in, “Here I am Lord, send me.” 

Reflection/Discussion Questions:

1. What can you do to overcome fear and allow Jesus to replace it with his power and peace?

2. Make a list of your fears and then describe what Jesus has to offer in the face of your fears.

3. Think of people who are in need because of this virus and the health and economic challenges it has created. What practical things can you do to help?

4. How can you align yourself with the mission of Jesus in this moment?