SIM International Director Malcolm McGregor

SIM is a community of God’s people who delight to worship him and are passionate about the Gospel, seeking to fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ in the world.

This statement begs the question—what is/was the mission of Jesus Christ? There are a number of possible responses.

The Reconciliation Dimension

Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is the cross. The compelling narrative of the Christian faith finds its climax here: the God of all creation stepping into time and space, limiting himself to human form, to carry out a work of reconciliation for those he created in his own image but who had rebelled against him.

To follow Jesus’ example calls for a life of dedication and sacrifice, inspired by the cross and sustained by the resurrection.

The Discipleship Dimension

In Matthew 17:4 Jesus says, “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” But what was this completed work? Jesus had yet to be tried, condemned and crucified, and to rise again in victory.

Jesus’ work was making “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19), turning fishermen into followers who dedicated their lives to God and the pursuit of others who did not know God. He reinforced this through the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).

The Community Dimension

When Jesus asks, “Who do people say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13-28), Peter responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus then says that on this truth “I will build my church ...” He reveals that the Church, the community of God’s people, is central to his mission. Through it his presence and work will be effected in the world.

The Kingdom Dimension

Finally, Jesus introduced God’s kingdom, his redemptive rule. This reality came into history through the person of Christ, to break the power of death and Satan. “Because of this present victory of God’s kingdom, we may enter the realm of its blessings in the present, yet look forward to greater blessings when Christ comes again” (NIV Bible Dictionary). God’s kingdom becomes a recurring theme in Jesus’ teaching, and in many ways the concept captures the entirety of his mission.

The mission of Jesus Christ is ongoing and multi-dimensional. In an amazing way, God continues to invite us—in our weakness and imperfect understanding—to participate in this mission.