Lent Day 29 [4.7.2025] / Pursuing Christ

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-10:42 / 마태복음 9:35-10:42

John 12:26 - Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

Overview:

Our scripture today begins with the words of Jesus:

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” – Matthew 9:37-38.

This message comes from a heart of compassion as Jesus looked upon the crowds who were being harassed by religious leaders and by the world. To Him, they looked like helpless sheep without a shepherd. With such a heart, Jesus turns to us today and instills in us His heart and mission for all the world: a burning compassion and relentless pursuit of the lost to meet and encounter their shepherd Jesus Christ.

As Jesus sends out the twelve, He communicates four promises and four instructions:

Four Promises:

1. Authority over demons, impure spirits, disease, sickness [v.1,v.8]

2. Suffering is part of the process [v.16,v.18-19,v.21-23]

3. The Spirit of God will speak through us [v.20]

4. God is in control [v.15,v.27-31,v.40-42]

   
   

Four Instructions:

1. Go to the lost sheep of Israel [v.5]

2. Do not take with you any provisions or insurances [v.9-10]

3. Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves [v.11-15,v.16-17,v.40-42]

4. Preach in conviction to save the soul [v.26-28,v.34-36]

   
   

The calling of Christ not only commands us to do such things, but to receive the very passion of Jesus Christ within our own hearts. Just like sanctification does not only change our habits but our minds, just like grace does not just cleanse our skin but our souls, and just like salvation does not grant us material wealth but rather eternal life, following Jesus Christ does not mean just to do the things He does, but to receive the very heart He has for the world. To be considered a part of the body of Christ, we must share the same heart and mind of Christ; therefore, this calling is not only about action, but a conviction of our hearts to become more like Jesus, that in the same way He had compassion on the crowd, we too are to see them in that passion and pursuit.

This motivation comes from two deep revelations that we are to meditate on today. The first revelation tells us that we too were once in need of grace and salvation; we too were once like sheep without a shepherd. Yet, not upon our efforts, but through the faithfulness of God and the courage of His workers, we have received the gift of salvation and relationship with Jesus Christ. Our faith is not based on our works, but a gift that was received by grace. The second revelation tells us that Christ’s greatest motivation for the cross was the absolute compassion He had for you and me. If we are to receive the gift of salvation, we are to also receive the heart behind the cross: an absolute and relentless love for sinful and broken people. Jesus’ ministry did not rest on worldly wealth, sway with the cultural norms, or find its purpose and reward in fame or glory; the single motivation was to save and redeem the lost at the cost of His life, death, and resurrection.

Therefore, in loving God, in believing in His word and works, in knowing who He is and what He has done for us, to receive the gift of eternal life without the purpose of our present one would be incomplete. Salvation is not just to gain eternal life, but it rebirths us, restores us, reinstates us in Christ. Therefore, the work of salvation transforms us to no longer desire to live for anything or anyone else besides Jesus and our greatest purpose is to chase after the personhood, motivations, and passions of our Lord and Savior.

Reflection:

1. Have you received the whole gift of salvation that includes the promise of eternal life but also the purpose of this present one?

2. Let us ask God to grow our compassion for the lost and courage to preach the gospel that saves.

3. Is there someone in your life that God has put on your heart to share the gospel with?

   
   

Prayer:

1. God, thank you for teaching me about your heart and passion for the lost.

2. Jesus, help me to receive not only the gift of eternal life, but the relentless passion you had for me and for sinners like me.

3. Holy Spirit, give me the strength and courage to preach the gospel and save those around me.

   
   

개요:

오늘의 성경 말씀은 예수님의 다음 말씀으로 시작됩니다:

“추수할 것은 많되 일꾼이 적으니, 그러므로 추수하는 주인에게 청하여 추수할 일꾼들을 보내어 주소서 하라.” – 마태복음 9:37-38

이 말씀은 예수님께서 군중을 바라보며 연민의 마음을 가지셨을 때 나온 것입니다. 그들은 종교 지도자들과 세상에 의해 괴롭힘을 당하며, 목자 없는 양들처럼 보였습니다. 예수님은 이러한 마음을 품으시고 오늘날 우리에게도 그분의 마음과 사명을 사모하시며, 잃어버린 영혼들을 향한 불타는 연민과 끊임없는 추구를 가지도록 하십니다.

예수님께서 열두 제자를 보내시며, 네 가지 약속과 네 가지 명령을 주십니다.

네 가지 약속:

1. 귀신과 부정한 영, 질병, 병을 다스리는 권세를 주심 (v.1, v.8)

2. 고난이 과정의 일부가 됨 (v.16, v.18-19, v.21-23)

3. 하나님의 영이 우리를 통해 말씀하심 (v.20)

4. 하나님께서 모든 것을 주관하심 (v.15, v.27-31, v.40-42)

   
   

네 가지 명령:

1. 이스라엘의 잃어버린 양들에게 가라 (v.5)

2. 어떤 물질적 보장도 가져가지 말라 (v.9-10)

3. 뱀같이 지혜롭고 비둘기같이 순결하라 (v.11-15, v.16-17, v.40-42)

4. 영혼을 구원하는 확신 속에서 전파하라 (v.26-28, v.34-36)

   
   

그리스도의 부르심은 단순히 이러한 행동을 하라는 명령이 아니라, 예수님의 마음을 우리 안에 받아들이라는 요청이기도 합니다. 성화가 단순히 우리의 습관을 변화시키는 것이 아니라 우리의 생각을 바꾸듯이, 은혜가 단순히 우리의 피부를 깨끗하게 하는 것이 아니라 우리의 영혼을 정결케 하듯이, 구원이 단순히 물질적 축복을 주는 것이 아니라 영생을 주듯이, 예수님을 따르는 것은 단순히 그분의 행동을 따르는 것이 아니라 그분이 세상을 향해 가지셨던 마음을 품는 것입니다.

그리스도의 몸에 속하기 위해 우리는 그분의 마음과 생각을 공유해야 합니다. 그러므로 이 부르심은 단순한 행동이 아니라, 우리의 마음이 예수님처럼 변화되는 내적 확신을 요구합니다. 예수님께서 군중을 연민의 마음으로 바라보셨듯이, 우리도 같은 열정과 목적을 가져야 합니다.

오늘 묵상할 두 가지 깊은 깨달음:

1. 우리도 한때 은혜와 구원이 필요했던 자들이었으며, 목자 없는 양과 같았다는 것입니다. 그러나 우리의 노력으로가 아니라, 하나님의 신실하심과 그분의 일꾼들의 용기를 통해 우리는 구원의 선물과 예수님과의 관계를 받았습니다. 우리의 믿음은 행위가 아니라, 은혜로 받은 선물입니다.

2. 예수님께서 십자가를 지신 가장 큰 동기는 바로 당신과 나를 향한 절대적인 사랑과 연민이었습니다. 우리가 구원의 선물을 받았다면, 우리는 십자가 뒤에 있는 그 마음 또한 받아야 합니다.

   
   

예수님의 사역은 세상의 부에 의존하지 않았고, 문화적 흐름에 휩쓸리지 않았으며, 명예나 영광을 목적으로 하지 않았습니다. 오직 하나의 목적, 즉 잃어버린 자들을 구원하고 속량하는 것이었습니다. 그분은 자신의 생명, 죽음, 부활의 대가를 치르며 이를 이루셨습니다.

그러므로 하나님을 사랑하고, 그분의 말씀과 행하심을 믿으며, 그분이 누구신지와 우리를 위해 하신 일을 안다면, 영생이라는 선물을 받되 우리의 현재 삶의 목적 없이 사는 것은 불완전한 것입니다. 구원은 단순히 영생을 얻는 것이 아니라, 우리를 새롭게 하고, 회복시키며, 그리스도 안에서 우리의 정체성을 재정립하는 것입니다. 그러므로 구원의 역사 속에서 우리는 더 이상 우리 자신을 위해 살고 싶은 마음이 아닌, 오직 예수님을 위해 살고자 하는 마음을 가지게 됩니다. 우리의 가장 큰 목적은 주님을 닮아가며 그분의 성품, 동기, 열정을 쫓아 사는 것입니다.

묵상 질문:

1. 나는 영생의 약속뿐만 아니라, 이 땅에서의 삶의 목적까지 포함된 온전한 구원의 선물을 받았나요?

2. 하나님께서 잃어버린 영혼을 향한 나의 연민을 키워 주시고, 영혼을 구원하는 복음을 전할 용기를 주시도록 기도합시다.

3. 하나님께서 내 마음에 두신, 복음을 전해야 할 사람이 있을까요?

   
   

기도:

1. 하나님, 잃어버린 자들을 향한 주님의 마음과 열정을 가르쳐 주셔서 감사합니다.

2. 예수님, 영생의 선물뿐만 아니라, 저를 향한 주님의 끊임없는 사랑과 열정을 온전히 받게 해 주세요.

3. 성령님, 복음을 전할 수 있는 힘과 용기를 주시고, 주변의 영혼들을 구원하게 해 주세요.