Although I do not fully agree with the two idea of reaching the resistant and reaping the receptive, I believe the first idea of reaching the resistant is more in biblical context. As the author indicated that mission is not a limited pie (p.72), the God-given original discipline of mission must not narrow down to men made priorities. Nevertheless, prioritizing play a key role in mission because it demonstrate what we believe, and our limitation of resources (money, time, men power etc.). As a consequences of limited resources mission demands to prioritized. The following details indicate why reaching the resistant should be the primary priority of mission.
First, in Matthew 28:29, Jesus commands His disciples ‘go and make disciples of all nations;’ which mean more than mere reaching or reaping. The word ‘go’ is parallel to ‘reaching’ and to be able to reaches to a different people, society and cultural is the reason of stepping out from one’s comfort zone. Since, Jesus sending out the disciples, the first primary discipline of the great commandment is reaching out or stepping out by faith.
Second, mission is about reaching out to all nations. Jesus clearly stated that mission is for every nation. There is so much of cultural divergence in different parts of the world and mission must be aware of well-built challenging against the gospel. Therefore, resistance against mission is temperament in cross-cultural mission. In the bible resistant against God’s people is common and Jesus Himself faces many times as well. There is no victory without battle.
Third, mission is not result-oriented program but a process of commitment to the commandment of the lord. The victory of mission is determined by the lord and men’s part in mission is to obey to the lord. In my humble criticism, the unhealthy focuses in 10/40 window, AD 2000 movements is basically men’s idea, derive from men’s desire to manipulate the logic of mission’s accomplishment. Therefore, aspiration to see instant outcome like reaping receptive is not realistic in practical mission field.
Finally, reaching the resistant sounds more sensible to the real world evangelization especially in this post-modern era. According to 1Corinthians 3:6-7, in mission different people has distinctive responsibility to fulfills. Mission will never be fulfilled by individual alone. Likewise, Paul, Apollos and God in 1Corinthians 3:6-7, all individual works in mission is sturdily and systematically interconnected. Therefore, mission priorities must be systematically interconnected. In the light of systematical conclusion, reaching the resistant is primary priority of mission and reaping the receptive is secondary priority. It is impossible to reap the fruit without sowing the seed.
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