The Mission isn't the People, The People are the Mission

By: Krinda Joy Carlson
Intern, Ceitci Demirkova Ministries


The mission isn’t the people, the people are the mission. At first glance, this sentence screams “fallacy,” or at least “contradiction.” So, let me rework it visually:

Mission = People
OR
People = Mission

Which of these equations make the greatest sense? Many would say that the first is correct according to the Great Commission (which is every Christian’s mission): “Go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them…teach them…(Matthew 28:19-20).” But, let me point out that we cannot baptize or teach a nation without people, for the people are the nation. Without people, therefore, we cannot have a mission, because we need the “them” to fulfill the Great Commission. Often, however, we have a reverse mentality in which the goal or the nation is our sole focus as opposed to HUMAN HEARTS.

People are the mission. When we understand this, we beat the Jonah-complex which I wrote about last week. Jonah was angry when Nineveh didn’t burn because he was focused on the mission as opposed to saving the people. He missed the joy of participating in the deliverance of an entire city because he was so wrapped up in the execution of his task.

If we focus solely on a mission or calling in our lives, we miss the miracles happening along the way to the completion of that mission. Essentially, we miss the whole purpose of having a mission – the purpose is to make an eternal difference. The only way to make an eternal difference is to affect the hearts and souls of human beings. Missions don’t exist without people.

Jesus’ life exemplifies this point. He certainly had a mission – his entire life built towards the purpose of the cross – but He stopped on the way for the people, showing they were His first priority…they were IT. He never ignored the need of a crying heart for the sake of a goal or plan in which He was endeavoring to fulfill. Take, for example, the story of Jarirus’ daughter, Luke 8:40-55.

Jarius was a very important official, highly esteemed in the eyes of the people. His daughter was sick, and he tried everything. Nothing worked. She was only twelve, and she was dying. Jarius was desperate. So, he opted to find Jesus personally, as opposed to sending his servant. When Jarius located Jesus, he fell at His feet and begged Christ to come to his house. The people all watched in astonishment. In modern day, this would be like a famous superstar prostrating himself and begging a “middle-class” individual for help…the press coverage would be epic. Therefore, Mission-Jarius’-Daughter was a red-carpet event for Jesus. He agreed, and Jarius led the way at a frantic pace. The gossip-hungry crowd pressed tightly around them, wanting to be a part of this significant event. Each step was another second in which the little girl could be taking her last breath. But, Jesus stopped. Abruptly. Jarius looked back, confused, “Hurry, hurry!” Jesus was looking around at all the people and asked, “Who touched me?” Everyone wondered if He’d gone nuts! There were thousands brushing against Jesus, what could He mean? Why was he allowing himself to be distracted from this mission at hand by such a little detail? The daughter of this famous man was dying! He was risking his reputation and ministry! Nevertheless, Jesus persisted. “Someone has touched me.” Finally, a frightened woman came forth, and threw herself before Jesus in fear. She had suffered bleeding for twelve years and knew that if she could only touch His garments, she would be healed. And, she was! This woman – who had endured scorn from others, who had felt dirty for so long, who’s life savings had been spent on trying to find a cure – was finally whole. Yet, she was still ashamed, sprawled in the dirt before Jesus. Jesus knew that although her body was healed, her heart was still bleeding. He touched her and spoke, “Daughter…Go in peace.” He delivered this woman from turmoil and shame by ministering peace and calling her daughter – an endearing term only recorded coming from His lips this once. As Jesus was giving this woman acceptance and belonging, a servant came to Jarius with news. His daughter was dead. Jesus was no longer needed. In everyone’s eyes, the mission was a failure. But for Jesus, so long as there are people, the mission is never abandoned. He told Jarius that his daughter would be healed. Jarius remains in shock. He stared at this crazy man thinking, She’s dead. Why didn’t you complete your mission to my daughter. Why did you stop for this woman and let my daughter die? When Jesus arrived at the house, people mocked and jeered. Jesus looked past the circumstances towards the girl in need. With a word and a touch, he raised Jarius’ daughter up from the dead, completely whole and healed. His mission was completed, despite it all, because His mission was based on the souls of the people, which are eternal and never fade.

Along the road to whatever Jesus was seeking to accomplish, he never looked at the needs of the people as an interruption…because he operated out of a people mentality. He did not allow fame, or importance of a goal, nor the voices of the crowd to override the cry of human souls. And, Christ did not die for the sake of a mission; He died for the hearts and souls of the PEOPLE. Our Great Commission is to epitomize Jesus Christ…our mission is not about reaching goals, it’s about reaching souls. The people are our mission.