The concept of "sending" is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, reflecting God's sovereign plan to accomplish His purposes through chosen individuals and communities. This theme underscores the divine initiative in the mission of God's people, emphasizing obedience, faith, and the fulfillment of God's will on earth.

Old Testament Foundations

The necessity of sending is evident from the earliest narratives in the Old Testament. God sends individuals to fulfill specific roles and tasks, often as a response to the needs of His people or to advance His covenantal promises. For instance, God sends Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. In Exodus 3:10, God commands, "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt." This sending is not merely a task but a divine commission that requires Moses to act as God's representative.

Similarly, the prophets are sent by God to call Israel back to faithfulness and to warn of impending judgment. Isaiah's commissioning in Isaiah 6:8 is a classic example: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" The sending of prophets highlights the necessity of delivering God's message to His people, often in times of spiritual and moral decline.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the theme of sending reaches its fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ultimate sent one, as He declares in John 20:21, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you." This statement not only affirms His divine mission but also establishes the pattern for His disciples. The sending of Jesus by the Father is central to the Gospel message, as seen in John 3:17: "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."

The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 further emphasizes the necessity of sending: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." Here, Jesus sends His disciples into the world to continue His mission, underscoring the ongoing nature of God's redemptive work through His people.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost marks a pivotal moment in the New Testament, empowering the apostles and the early church for mission. In Acts 1:8, Jesus promises, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The Holy Spirit's role in sending is crucial, as it equips believers with the necessary gifts and boldness to proclaim the Gospel.

The Church's Mission

The necessity of sending extends to the church, which is called to be a missional community. The apostle Paul, a key figure in the early church, exemplifies this as he is sent on multiple missionary journeys to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles. In Romans 10:15, Paul writes, "And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" This underscores the importance of sending in the proclamation of the Gospel and the expansion of God's kingdom.

Conclusion

The necessity of sending is a divine mandate that permeates the biblical narrative, calling God's people to participate in His redemptive mission. From the Old Testament prophets to the New Testament apostles, and continuing through the church today, the act of sending is integral to fulfilling God's purposes on earth.