A phrase is often heard in comedic movies and TV shows when someone fails to accomplish a given task: “You had one job!” In the right setting that expression makes us laugh. But it also suggests an important lesson: the importance of focus.

Jesus communicated to His apostles a similar message before He ascended to heaven: Your one job is to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). Yes, that job has many dimensions just as Jesus’ earthly ministry was multifaceted: teaching, preaching, caring for the needy, influencing society, and more. But the focus—the umbrella that covers all those exercises—is spreading the Gospel to all the world. Why? Because the whole world is under the influence of Satan (1 John 5:19) and because a day is coming when the Antichrist will seek to dominate the world (Revelation 13:3).

Be reminded today of your “one job” as a follower of Christ: to spread the Gospel to all the world.

Always and everywhere the servants of Christ are under order to evangelize.
J. I. Packer