Heartsick and struggling with doubts and fears, the angels embraced Him one final time. The mission seemed so risky—even reckless. There was so much to lose. But it was His choice.

And so Jesus’ missionary journey began as only those who have been missionaries can understand. With tearful goodbyes to worried, doubting loved ones, He crossed the great void between familiarity and strangeness, adoration and isolation, glory and darkness to be reborn into a life He could hardly have imagined.

Strangely, Jesus chose to begin His missionary ministry in a state of utter dependence on others, unable even to feed Himself or to speak a single word. But as He depended on people, they responded with love. From them He learned the language and culture of His mission field, and He grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.

Jesus engaged in overt evangelism for only a few years. He had little to show for His efforts—just a ragtag group of blue-collar men who were notable mainly for their quarreling and seeming inability to grasp the deeper truths He tried to teach them in word and deed.

Then, just as Jesus’ mission seemed to be gaining traction, He was murdered in cold blood by religious leaders who saw Him as a threat to their earthly power. His disciples denied Him and scattered. Had history’s most audacious mission project ended in abject failure?

No! Jesus rose from the tomb victorious, and His followers, ignited by the Holy Spirit, fanned out across the globe to testify of His loving salvation.

Today, this torch is yours to pick up and carry. There is so much to gain. What will you do? It is your choice.

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