The Great Commission

Genesis 24 might at first seem like a simple account of Abraham sending his servant to find a wife for Isaac, but it is also a picture of the gospel and the mission of the church. The servant is sent by the father to seek a bride for the son. In that way, he points us toward the calling of Christians in every age: we are sent into the world with the message of Christ, calling people to come to him.

One of the lessons of the chapter is that the servant can travel, pray, speak, and invite, but he cannot make Rebekah willing. That part belongs to God. So it is with evangelism. We are called to be faithful, but salvation itself is the work of the Lord. That truth should not make us passive; it should make us hopeful. We do not carry the burden of changing hearts, but we do have the privilege of bearing witness to Christ and trusting God to do what only he can do.

The chapter also reminds us that the message must not be changed. Abraham’s instruction was clear: Isaac was not to be taken back. The servant was not free to alter the mission to make it easier. In the same way, the church must not reshape Christ or soften the gospel to suit the spirit of the age. We are not called to make Jesus more acceptable, but to proclaim him as he truly is our Lord, Saviour, and King. This week, may we live with that same quiet urgency as the servant in Genesis 24. Pray for one person. Speak to one person. Invite one person. The Lord is able to do far more than we can see, and he is pleased to use ordinary servants in the work of calling people to his Son.