In the midst of the devastating war in Ukraine, some noble service has gone on.While millions have fled the war zone some have entered it to care for the hurting and rescue the needy. Mission workers have set up emergency field hospitals, even though bombs have been targeted at some other hospitals. Some have gone into Ukraine to bring to safety people who are unable to flee the war zone on their own. They are putting their lives on the line to rescue ones in danger and help ones in need.

Those serving in Ukraine are doing the type of work all followers of Jesus are called to do. Jesus said, “I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:18). He did not pray that we would be taken out of the world. He asked the Father to protect us as we go into the world. We are sent into a world full of conflict and danger. Lost and hurting people are not so much enemies as they are ones who have been deceived by the enemy. They are in danger “behind enemy lines” and need to be rescued.

It is tempting to want to flee from the challenges of this evil world and attempt to hide in safety from the dangers that abound. But those who know Christ are called to hear the cries of the needy and join in the rescue mission, even though it may be costly. We have been given the privilege and the calling to “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3-4).

Jesus came to the war zone of this world to rescue us. “Jesus … gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age” (Gal. 1:3-4). By His death on the cross He delivers us from enslavement by the enemy and brings us into His glorious kingdom. “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves” (Colossians 1:13).

Because of what Christ has done for us, even in a world suffering from cruelty and war, we get to be people who declare good news. “Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel” (Psalm 71:3-4). The hope of refuge and deliverance found in the Lord still stands. We get to share that hope with the world.