2023 New Year's Message
[This was the Chaplain's Word in the St Kakumba Chapel bulletin on New Year's Day 2013, based on Matthew 19:14]
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013! I welcome you to this new year – another clear indicator of the new season reality. God has been our help in ages past, and He is our hope for years to come. In this year, the Lord extends the concern about His people. The episode of disciples rebuking those who had brought children to Jesus for prayer and blessings prompted our Saviour to explicitly give the vital instruction, “Let the little children come to me”. Jesus received little children, and hence was consistent with God the Father who gave circumcision to father Abraham with his present and future children as a sign of the covenant (Gen 17:11-12). Jesus was himself entered into this covenant through circumcision when he was a little child – eight days old (Luke 2:21). For our application in today’s Church, let me share four categories of people about whom Jesus says “Let them come to me” – this is our mission imperative this year:
1. The lambs: These, according to John Gill, are the younger and more tender part of the flock, weak believers, Christ’s little children, newborn babes, the day of small things, which are not to be despised, the bruised reed that is not to be broken, and the smoldering wick that is not to be quenched. To Simon Peter Jesus said, “Feed my lambs” (John 21:15). They are to be nourished, comforted, and strengthened, by feeding them with the milk of the Gospel, and by administering to them the ordinances and breasts of consolation. These Christ has an interest in, and therefore calls them “my lambs”, being given him by the Father, and purchased by his blood, and for whom he has a tender concern and affection. As they reach out to access the Christ, they should not be hindered.
2. The sheep: These are mature Christian believers who are on course following the Good Shepherd. Of these Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me”, and gave stern instructions to Simon Peter to Tend and Feed them (John 10:27, 21:16-17). Tending carries the sense of governing, caring for, guiding, protecting – the kind of faithful vigilance which a shepherd uses to guide his flock, and to make provision against their wants and dangers. These believers follow by following and engaging and participating in God’s mission: some are leaders on the Chapel Council, others serve in various ministry teams. They should be encouraged at all costs, and they should not be hindered.
3. Infants in Christ: Paul noticed these in Corinth (1Cor 3:1); they are different from “the lambs” because they came to Christ long ago – they are not real babies, but they just have not yet matured; they have become stunted! They are in Christ, and so are new creatures, though for longer than expected they have remained infants and weaklings in it. They have remained children in understanding, knowledge, and experience, and have but little judgment in spiritual things, and are unskillful in the word of righteousness. These could be more difficult to deal with, but they are needy and as they make effort to grow, they should be carefully supported, and they should not be hindered.
4. The lost: Little children can easily get lost in crowds if parents do not pay attention; even Jesus ‘got lost’ at least once! Adults can also get lost spiritually – not knowing where they should go, not knowing their home. “The Son of man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). These need to be actively sought after and brought in. They are the sheep “that are not of this fold” and Jesus commits himself, “I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice” (John 10:16). Albert Barnes notes that this was to be done, not by his personal ministry, but by the labor of his apostles and other ministers. The many labourers in St. Kakumba Chapel are hereby called upon in this new season to remain attentive to this need. The lost need the gospel; they should not be hindered.
The mission imperative is a clear call to action from all God’s people. May God bless you in this New Year, this new season as you take heed to the call, and sure end of the journey will be real and everlasting blessing of the Kingdom of God. Have a Blessed 2013.