Good Friday/Easter is the central event in Christian faith. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the gospel of salvation. The good news is to be believed. The question is how can people believe what they never hear? And, how can people hear if nobody tells them? And, how can they tell others if they are not sent by God? The logical implication of the gospel is evangelism. Since we have been saved through the proclamation of the gospel, we are burdened with the responsibility to proclaim the same gospel to others.

This is why after Jesus’ resurrection, the direction of Jesus’ ministry is clearly toward mission. He stayed for forty days to encourage His disciples for the next mission, the proclamation of the gospel. If we take the centrality of the gospel seriously, then we will want to proclaim it through all means. If we believe that the gospel alone saves, then we will do our best to help proclaim and spread the message of the gospel.

Focus on the cross of Christ should propel us toward mission. It’s true that being involved in the gospel mission does not always mean leaving your profession to become a missionary somewhere far from your present location. But a missional posture will resist being stationery. You won’t be satisfied with your present status quo and comfort zone.

God who called us out of darkness is also calling us to proclaim His light among those in darkness. Peter states this connection clearly in 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Salvation (being called out of darkness into God’s light) cannot be separated from mission (proclaim God’s excellencies).

That is the purpose of our election. God chose us to be His own so that we participate in His mission to gather His other chosen people into Christ. Being missional is being dynamic, not static. Since God is always calling us, we must always heed His call. Our response to His call will prompt us to obey and go. Hearing the gospel afresh is also hearing God’s calling for mission: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me” (Isaiah 6:8).

I pray that as we celebrate Easter and the resurrection of Jesus, we are hearing the gospel afresh and being attentive to God’s continuous calling. Instead of looking around and waiting for someone to answer, we should say to the Lord: “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”