Actes 3:20

And He shall send Jesus.

The Missionary Christ

A missionary is “one sent.” Jesus was a missionary when He came to save; He will be a missionary when He comes to judge. These missions have been loosely termed the First and Second Advents as though there were no others. But if the Old Testament theophanies were manifestations of Christ, then Christ came on a pre-incarnate mission. Then, again, He had aa important mission after the Resurrection; and further, we see from the text in conjunction with Actes 3:26 and His promise, “Lo, I am with you,” that He has been engaged in a mission ever since the Ascension. So there are four advents which characterise the successive phases of the mission of the Son of God. The text refers to that in which He is now engaged. Note--

I. The missionary.

1. The name “Jesus” is generally used of the Saviour in His human capacity; and it is not without the profoundest interest that the Great Ambassador from on high is that “same Jesus” who assumed our humanity to qualify Himself for a real brotherhood with our race. We have suggested, therefore, in the name sympathy, helpfulness, accessibility, companionship. While we carefully remember His august position on the throne of the universe, let us not forget that that throne is occupied by our Brother, and that therefore we may “come boldly to the throne of grace!”

2. Christ is the official title which represents our Lord as embodying all that was meant by the “anointed” personages of the Old Testament. He is the reality of which they were the type--the Messiah.

(1) Christ, then, still discharges His teaching functions, and says many things which He could not say to His ancient disciples--not so much revealing new truth as unfolding fresh developments, exhibiting new aspects, and bringing it home in unlooked-for ways.

(2) Christ is the Priest of His Church. Atonement was only one function. He ever lives to apply the benefits of His sacrifice, to make intercession, to pour forth His ceaseless blessings.

(3) Christ is King to legislate, rule, and lead to victory.

II. The Sender God (Actes 3:19). That Jesus was the Sent of God shows--

1. The harmony of the missions of Christ incarnate and Christ glorified. No more frequent thought was in our Lord’s mind than that He came from God except the cognate thought that He was glad to come. So our text regards Christ as still being sent, and, since the effects of His mission are so blessed (Actes 3:26), with the same joy. What dignity and blessedness does this give to those who receive Him! We are amazed at the condescension and love which marked the advent to Bethlehem; but under the same grand auspices does Christ come to our soul, home, church.

2. The relation of Christ.

(1) To the Father.

(a) Subordination. “Send.”

(b) Equality. God only could do what Christ is sent to do (Actes 3:26).

(2) To the Holy Spirit. The “times of refreshing” are regarded as emphatically the Spirit’s, but our text shows that they are also Christ’s. This harmony of operation is seen throughout the New Testament. And what God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

III. The time; “Times of refreshing.” Christ is always here, but He is not always manifest. But He is supremely manifest during periods of spiritual revival.

1. In the revival of personal religion it is the vivid realisation of Christ that brings refreshment. Our dead, dry, barren times are when Christ is partially or altogether hidden. But when the clouds break the showers fall and the Sun of Righteousness shines forth, and all is glad and fruitful.

2. In the revival of Church life it is Christ brought home to the sinner, magnified by the saint, and honoured in all effort that is the prime cause.

IV. The means. “Preached unto you.”

1. Christless preaching is never marked by a time of refreshing. There were learned rabbis prophesying in a valley of dry bones; but it was a rude fisherman that was the instrument of bringing them to life. This Peter did by simply preaching Christ. Scholastic philosophers were scattering their ponderous tomes on an age that was not only dark but dead; but it was a rude miner’s son that awakened Europe into life. This Luther did by simply preaching Christ. Stately essays were read by cultured thinkers in that barren, arid eighteenth century; but untutored evangelists simply held up Christ and times of refreshing came.

2. As a means of revival, therefore, preaching Christ is the chief. Other things are important--architecture, music, visitation, schools, pleasant evenings, etc. But a Church may have all, and yet lack the one thing needful. But the Subject to be preached is a whole Christ: not His tender humanness apart from His sovereign dignity; not His precious promises apart from His atoning sacrifice. Let the whole Christ be preached accompanied by the power of the Holy Ghost, with and through whom He works, and “times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord” will come. (J. W. Burn.)