I previously highlighted a dynamic in which we say we will “go wherever” God calls us. However, we either replace “going” with internet tools (like social media), or we forego God’s call upon us to be present wherever we are. Before I dive into some implications and applications (in coming posts), I want to lay the groundwork for a theology of local embodiment. This is a subject that I’m very much learning about in my own life.
The Bible’s Call to Local Embodiment
The Bible gives several examples and teachings that support a theology of locality.
Incarnation
The incarnation of Christ is the most obvious expression of local embodiment. Jesus, the eternal Word, became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). He lived a specific life in a particular place, fully engaging with the local culture, customs, and people. This model of localized ministry demonstrates that God values presence and relational proximity.
Jesus’ ministry was characterized by His intimate involvement with the lives of those around Him. He touched the lepers, dined with tax collectors, and wept with those who mourned. His presence was not abstract or distant but deeply personal and tangible.
The incarnation teaches us that genuine love and ministry require physical presence. Just as Jesus loved the actual people in front of Him, we too are called to love and serve those in our immediate context. This means that our mission must start with being fully present and engaged with the individuals God has placed in our lives. It’s through such everyday interactions that we embody Christ’s love and manifest the gospel.
Early Church
Moreover, the early church’s mission strategy included a strong local component. The apostles planted churches and encouraged believers to be rooted in their communities. Paul’s letters often highlight the importance of living out the gospel in the local context.
For example, in his epistle to the Ephesians, Paul exhorts the believers to walk worthy of their calling (Eph 4:1) within their local setting, emphasizing unity, maturity, and mutual edification.
Paul’s Ministry and Letters
Paul’s ministry also exemplifies the importance of local presence. Though he traveled extensively, planting churches across the Roman Empire, he invested deeply in the local communities he founded. He stayed in Corinth for a year and a half (Acts 18:11) and in Ephesus for over two years (Acts 19:10), teaching daily and forming close relationships with the believers. His letters reveal a deep pastoral concern for the specific needs and challenges of each community, underscoring the importance of being attuned to the local context.
Furthermore, the New Testament epistles are filled with exhortations to love one another, bear each other’s burdens, and build up the body of Christ (Gal 6:2, 1 Thess 5:11). These commands are inherently local, requiring believers to be in close, regular contact with one another. The practice of the “one another” commands can only be fulfilled through genuine, face-to-face relationships within a local community.
Virtual connections, while valuable, cannot substitute the depth and authenticity of personal interactions.
Parables
The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) further illustrates the importance of local embodiment. Jesus tells this parable in response to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” The Samaritan’s neighbor was the man he encountered on the road, beaten and left for dead. The Samaritan’s compassionate response required physical presence and personal involvement.
He did not delegate caring for the injured man to someone else. Nor does he offer help from a distance. Instead, he tended personally to the man’s wounds, transported him to an inn, and ensured his continued care. This parable underscores the necessity of being present and actively involved in the lives of those around us.
A theology of locality challenges us to follow Christ’s example by loving and serving the actual people in front of us. It calls us to be attentive to the needs of our neighbors, to engage deeply with our local community, and to invest in the relationships God has placed in our path.
This kind of embodied presence not only reflects Jesus’ heart but also makes the gospel real and credible to those we encounter. In a world increasingly mediated by digital interactions, the call to be fully present and locally engaged is more crucial than ever. By embracing this call, we participate in God’s redemptive work in our immediate context and demonstrate the transformative power of Christ’s love in tangible ways.
Next, we will look at what it means to “be” (not merely “go”) wherever God wants us to be.
