Redemption Through Christ

Known and Sent

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples. Peter, John, James, Matthew, Thomas, and the others He had chosen, along with many faithful followers, were filled with fear, doubt, and grief. They had witnessed His miracles: the blind seeing, the paralysed walking, storms being stilled, and people fed. They had also seen His suffering: betrayal, an unfair trial, and the cruel cross. Yet in their uncertainty, Jesus appeared.

His first words were not rebuke but a whisper of peace: “Peace be with you.” He breathed life into their weary souls, showing that death and despair did not have the final word. Then He gave them a mission: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Their task was immense: to be witnesses of hope, to share God’s love, and to carry light into a world often shadowed by fear and uncertainty. Jesus did not call them because they were perfect. He called them because He knew their hearts, their fears, their weaknesses, and their sparks of courage and equipped them with the Spirit to accomplish what lay ahead.

Centuries later, Saint Teresa of Ávila walked a similar path of being known and sent. In 16th-century Spain, she faced resistance, doubt, and challenges to her faith as she worked to reform stagnant convents. She could have been overwhelmed, but she leaned into the God who knew her heart. Through prayer, reflection, and persistent courage, she revitalised convents, trained nuns, and inspired a spiritual renewal. Teresa reminds us that God equips us according to His knowledge of who we are, not according to our perfection, preparing us to accomplish far more than we could imagine on our own.

We, too, have experienced God making us known and sent. He intersected our path with others navigating seasons of loss and uncertainty, allowing us to encourage and walk alongside them. One vivid season was in Vietnam. As a family, we were actively involved in the church, helping with worship, media, and various events. During an international Sunday, we celebrated together with songs and meals from many cultures, laughing, learning, and delighting in the richness of community.

Then, two days later, our pastor collapsed. He went into a coma and eventually passed away after weeks of uncertainty. The grief shook the church deeply. Many who knew our story reached out, and our presence became a source of comfort to them. In hindsight, we realised that God had placed us there to share His love with those mourning and brokenhearted. Our lives became a living testimony of God’s faithfulness, a beacon of hope in sorrow.

Being sent is not about perfection or knowing all the answers. It is about presence, trust, and love. It is about stepping forward with God’s guidance, encouraging others, and sharing hope across cultures, languages, and seasons of life. Jesus’ commissioning, Saint Teresa’s courage, and our own journey converge on one truth: when God knows us intimately, He equips us to be sent. Being sent is never about our strength; it is about His power flowing through hearts willing to follow.

Reflection Question:

How might God be inviting you to serve others today?

How does knowing that He knows and loves you change the way you step into His call?

Prayer

Lord, help me to know Your love and guidance intimately. Give me the courage to step into the places You send me, trusting that You have equipped me. Let my life be a reflection of Your hope, grace, and faithfulness, bringing encouragement to those I encounter.