Plus in a world of Minus

How does it look to carry out Jesus’ mission in and through our businesses? Through our work in the marketplace? Is it actually possible?

Jesus’ very first sermon in the gospel of Luke (Luke 4) is very interesting - it almost works like a mission statement, a summary of why he has come. Jesus asks for the scroll of Isaiah and reads out the following words:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour”

These words (from Isaiah 61) prophetically look forward to the Messiah and his community, and describe the positive transformation that God wants to bring into the world through him. And us.

The chapter is full of transformative statements. God wants to confront the brokenness of the world and bring wholeness. He wants to bring heaven’s goodness to all the places where that goodness is now lacking. To bring ‘Plus’ to a world in ‘Minus’! Just look:

For the poor – good news

For the brokenhearted – healing

For the captives – freedom

For the prisoners – release from darkness

For those who mourn – comfort

For those who grieve – provision

For those who have only ashes – a crown of beauty

For those who mourn – oil of gladness

For those who despair – garments of praise

Do you feel the cadence? And the promises keep coming: restoration, renewal, abundance, priesthood, an inheritance, everlasting joy! THIS is what God wants to do in the world through his redeemed community, the community of the Messiah. Through you.

As Jesus-followers we are invited to bring positive transformation – by the power of the Holy Spirit – to the world around us, the communities we are a part of. Including the marketplace.

What does that look like for you?

God bless!

Paul de Cock (North West HUB Member)