Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Mark 16:15, ” And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’ “

Background

The beginning of each episode of the late 1960’s television show Mission: Impossible is known for its classic title sequence where the burning fuse moves across the screen while images of the current episode are briefly shown. Directly following comes the equally-classic tape scene in which the leader of the Impossible Missions Force team listens to a tape recorder while looking at photos from an envelope which explain the upcoming assignment. The tape concludes with several memorable phrases, beginning with the lead-in, ” Your mission, Jim, should you choose to accept it. ” Once the instructions were completed, Jim was warned, ” As always, should you or any of your I.M. Force be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. ” And finally, the voice on the recorder would say, ” This tape will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck, Jim. ” There is a philosophical position that life imitates art, an idea embraced most notably by the Irish author Oscar Wilde. In this camp, life’s aim is to find expression, and art offers the means by which life realizes its intent. If that were the case, then Mission: Impossible , were it considered a form of art, would be expressing a version of missions that could not be further from the heart of our God.

Application

Our Lord has not made it optional to heed His call to carry on the cause of Christ. No one on His team may choose to not accept, even if they are physically unable to go and do. Prayers, resources, and support are expected of every child of our missionary Father. Neither, also, does our Lord disavow or forget us, especially when things get tough. He specifically promised to be fully with us while we are doing the very job He commissioned. His is the voice on the tape. Also, there is no annihilation of the mission instructions. The message itself is the very force which accomplishes the task which is being carried out. The gospel saves, and it is that gospel of which we shall never be ashamed.

Charge

As we seek Him today, pray and support those who carry the Good News of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.