Mission
Mission
(V1A31)
The mission of the church and the cross of Christ are two inseparable aspects of Christian theology and practice. The cross is the defining symbol of God’s redemptive love, and mission is the means by which this love is shared with the world. Together, they form the heartbeat of the church’s purpose. In this article, I will explore six critical connections between mission and the cross that highlight their profound interdependence.
The cross is the starting point for Christian mission. It represents the ultimate act of God’s self-giving love and sacrifice for humanity. Jesus’ death reconciles sinners to God and provides the basis for the proclamation of the gospel. Without the cross, the mission lacks its core message: salvation through Christ’s atoning work. As Paul writes, “We preach Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:23), underscoring that the cross is central to the church’s mission.
The cross shapes the way the church engages in mission. It calls believers to embrace self-denial, sacrifice, and humility in their service to others. Jesus’ words, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24), reminds us that mission involves laying down our lives for the sake of others, just as Christ did.
Mission is fundamentally about proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, and the cross is at the center of this message. The cross declares God’s love, justice, and mercy, offering hope to a broken world. Missionaries and evangelists are tasked with sharing this transformative truth: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son” (John 3:16).
The cross is not only the message but also the source of power for mission. Through the cross, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out their calling. Paul highlights this when he states, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). The cross enables believers to overcome fear, opposition, and hardship in their mission.
Mission often involves suffering, and the cross provides a theological framework for understanding this reality. Jesus’ suffering on the cross demonstrates that God works redemptively through pain and sacrifice. Missionaries who face persecution, rejection, or hardship find solace in the cross, knowing that their suffering participates in Christ’s own suffering for the world.
The ultimate goal of mission is to bring people to the foot of the cross, where they can encounter God’s love and grace. The cross is where reconciliation with God takes place, and mission seeks to extend this invitation to all. As Revelation 5:9 declares, Christ’s death purchased people “from every tribe and language and people and nation”—a vision that inspires the church’s global mission.
The mission of the church and the cross of Christ are deeply interconnected. The cross provides the foundation, model, message, power, and goal for mission, while also shaping the church’s understanding of suffering in service. Together, they call the church to a life of faithful witness, sacrificial love, and hope-filled proclamation. As Christians carry out their mission, they do so under the shadow of the cross, proclaiming its life-giving message to a world in need of redemption.
The following links lead to other devotional pages published under the theme of the Wisdom from The Cross
Forgiveness https://21stcenturyrenewalministries.com/forgiveness/
Humility https://21stcenturyrenewalministries.com/1041-2/
Redemption https://21stcenturyrenewalministries.com/redemption/
Hope https://21stcenturyrenewalministries.com/hope/
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