Reflections
“The kingdom of God is near.”Being called and being sent go together in Christian disci- pleship, but there is another element to it, namely the very reason for being called and sent. These are the threefold ele- ment of Christian discipleship. The “call” has an accompanying thing to accomplish.The disciples were specifi- cally sent for a definite purpose: to proclaim the kingdom of God. This is very clear to Jesus; He is sending them for this purpose. It is also clear to the twelve that this is the object of their calling. Jesus teaching, healing, and reconciling ministries inaugu- rated the reign of God. These ministries made historically con- crete God’s love for all creation. The kingdom of God is God’s love reigning concretely on Earth through Jesus. Humanity had a foretaste of the fullness of creation through the healing and reconciling activities of Je- sus. The kingdom of God that He began was made historically present, but not complete, that is why He called and sent the disciples. And these calling and sending extend to us, with the same purpose—the kingdom of God.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019