Jesus said to the twelve disciples, “When you enter a town or village, look for a worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave.” Then, when you enter a house, greet it. This sentence seems simple. Yet behind it lies an important picture of how a messenger of Christ should be present in the world. The disciples were not sent merely to deliver information. They were sent to bring the news of God’s Kingdom. Their presence should give people an opportunity to hear that God is at work and that they are called to respond. Therefore, Christian ministry must be not only about what we say, but also about how we show up in other people’s lives.
Jesus said, “You received freely; give freely also.” This principle is very important. Ministry begins with the awareness that we ourselves are recipients of grace. We do not come to others as people who are better, holier, or more deserving. We come as those who have first received God’s love. Someone who recognizes that life is a gift will more easily offer that gift to others. Conversely, when ministry loses awareness of grace, it can become an arena for seeking recognition. We begin to want to be appreciated, praised, considered important, even to demand that others’ ministry follow our way. Instead, Jesus taught the disciples to go with simplicity. They must not make ministry an opportunity for personal gain.
Here ministry becomes testimony. The world does not only need Christians who speak well about Christ. The world needs Christians who carry Christ’s character in their presence. At home, does our presence bring peace or tension? At work, does our presence cause others to feel valued or oppressed? In church, does our service build others up or make them feel inadequate? We can talk about Christ’s love for hours, but if our presence is full of pride, anger, and self-interest, our witness becomes contradictory.
Jesus sent the disciples to go. That means faith must not stop within the worship space. There is a world to meet. Some families need love. People are losing hope. Some people need someone to listen. Therefore, the word “go” is not only a command to missionaries or pastors. In everyday life, every believer is called to carry Christ’s presence.
However, bringing peace does not mean always being accepted. Jesus also spoke of the possibility of rejection. If a house or town does not receive them, they must leave it. This is important. We are responsible for our faithfulness, but we cannot always control other people. Sometimes we speak with love, yet others reject us. We have helped, yet are misunderstood. We have done what is right, yet are not appreciated. Do not let rejection stop you from bringing peace. Our task is not to force people to accept Christ. Our task is to witness to Christ faithfully.
May it be that when we leave a place, people remember not only our words but also the character of Christ they saw in our lives. Wherever God sends us, let our presence allow others to experience Christ’s love and peace.