As . . .
"As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'" John 20:21

"I've had all I can take of Kazakhstan!" After five months in central Asia, Chet was venting his frustrations to Albert, a veteran missionary, as they drove home one evening.

"I never imagined culture shock would be so unbearable," Chet said. "I'm trying to adjust, but everything is so strange. The language is murder. The customs are bizarre.

After spending a few hours with people, I feel desperate to escape back to my apartment and get away from this strange place. As a missionary, I'm a flop."

"As a new missionary, your feelings are normal," Albert said.

"No," Chet said. "I'm a flop! To make things worse, I got a letter today from Bonnie, a lady back home." Chet took the letter from his pocket. "Listen to this: 'When you left for Kazakhstan, Chet, I was impressed by your courage. I thought I could never be so brave. But while I was praying for you, God urged me to befriend an international student. I've spent many hours with Mai Ling from Taiwan. At first, I was excited, but I think it's getting too much for me to handle. While she was telling me last week about her culture and Buddhist beliefs, I just felt like running away. As a missionary, I'm a failure. So I'm asking you for advice.'

"I've got nothing to say to Bonnie," Chet sighed.

Albert chuckled. "How about 'Praise the Lord!'?"

"What in the world for?" Chet asked.

"Because God is teaching you that missionaries aren't spiritual superheroes."

"I guess nobody is."

"Well, there's one exception," Albert corrected. "And that missionary has some encouragement for you in John 20:21: "Again Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'

"Among the Jews, 'Peace be with you' was a typical greeting," Albert explained. "But when the Risen Savior says 'Shalom,' it's more than words. He actually gives what the word means: wholeness, forgiveness, health, hope and life. You know His peace, Chet. You came to Kazakhstan to share it with Muslims.

"Did you notice the word 'again' in John 20:21? Jesus had already told them 'Peace be with you!' in verse 19. But the Lord knew His missionaries never lose their need to be reassured of His peace.

"One more thing. Jesus says, 'As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.' That little word 'as' is important. Jesus doesn't send us out any old way. He follows a model. The model is the incarnation. As a missionary, Jesus left heaven and adjusted to life in our foreign culture. Therefore, when He sends you and me and Bonnie out to serve as missionaries, He is asking us to do something similar to what He did to save humankind."

"And He did it so well," added Chet.

"Chet, you've been working with me to learn to be a missionary. Why not learn from the best? When you read the Gospels, look at Jesus as a missionary serving in a foreign place called Earth. Learn from His example."

"Good idea, Albert."

"And when you find yourself falling off your pedestal, because you can't match His standard, simply lay your shortcomings at the foot of the cross."

"Thanks. I'll do that."

1. Have you ever experienced culture shock? What does it feel like?
   
2. Have you ever felt like a failure as a Christian witness?
   
3. What does it do for you to realize that Jesus Christ was a cross-cultural missionary who endured the same challenges you face? See Heb. 4:15-16.

• As you read the Gospels, focus on Jesus' role as a cross-cultural missionary. What challenges did He face, and how did He handle them? What will He do for you? Perhaps you might start with Mark 1:35-39, Luke 5:29-32, John 13:15-16 and Acts 10:36-38.