This pulpit is not a confessional, but I must acknowledge something here at the start. Last week as Sunday rolled into Monday I was not too thrilled to look at the calendar and be reminded that I was on tap to preach again this week. VBS was going to make the week a little busier than normal. I would be preparing for a holiday weekend of unknown church attendance. And yes, I was more than a little distracted by the fact we have a little vacation coming up.

But then I looked at the text. I guess I am supposed to say that every scripture passage carries equal weight. But let's face it. Some are more impactful than others...and today we encounter one such selection. You see, this week we read about the moment when Jesus expands the team, as it were, and offers some pretty clear directions, to those of us wishing to follow him.

Usually we reflect on the gospel and what it says about taking Jesus' message out into the world through the lens of the famous twelve followers. They were, as we know, most closely connected to Jesus. The stars this week, however, are of a different sort. This morning we hear about Jesus' "appointees" from among the crowd following the band of 12 plus the One.

Now as Jesus sends out these new missionaries it is worth noting that today's passage occurs in the text immediately following last week's gospel reading. Do you recall the job description for the disciple position we heard last week? The homelessness? The absence from fulfilling family obligations? The necessity to just get up and go with no looking back? Well Jesus must have been satisfied he had properly communicated the expectations he had for his disciples because he wasted no time tabbing 70 of them for some on-the-job-training. Who knows, maybe Jesus wants to press them into service before the realities of their commitment to following Jesus set in.

Whatever the case, their mission is set. There is, however, one final bit of training before they begin. Scripture doesn't always work out this way, but this week I think we are fortunate because Jesus actions and words for these 70 offer pretty concrete guidance for our mission work in our context today. For example, I think there is a lesson in here when we read that Jesus sends them off in pairs. There is some comfort in tackling a difficult task with someone else. It is also nice to have a partner along to keep each of us honest. Beyond that I would like to turn to a commentary I read on this text that draws out some other mission principles. If you wish, you might follow along in your bulletin as we tour through the text:

Jesus affirms the world's need for the church's mission when he notes that "The harvest is plentiful." Indeed, there is more work to do than laborers to do it.

Jesus' commission affirms the importance of prayer in support of the church's mission: "Ask the Lord of the harvest."

This mission insists on the active participation of each disciple: "Go on your way." The work of the church is not merely the calling of a select few. Believers can contribute to it in their own way and in the context of their spiritual journey.

Jesus' commission warns of the dangers will face and provides guidelines: "I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves." Through this metaphor, Jesus seems to be counseling innocence and sincerity, vulnerability and non-resistance as means of turning aside anger and danger.

Jesus calls for singularity of purpose: "Greet no one on the road."

Not lacking in specific instruction the passage gets to the purpose of the mission: "Say, 'Peace to this house' and 'the kingdom of God has come near to you.'" Disciples declare what God is doing and bring God's peace to whomever receives them. Share table fellowship with whomever receives you.

We are reminded to depend on the host, not the guest, for the context for the disciple's witness: "Eat what is set before you." We are to meet others where they are in their journeys, not impose our background on others.

Jesus acknowledges that not every effort will succeed the first time around: "[When] they do not welcome you...." Jesus knew that the disciples would meet resistance and rejection some of the time.

And in those times we do not succeed we shall "Shake the dust from your feet"...an admonishment to persevere:

And finally Jesus gives the disciples a word of assurance about the fulfillment of God's redemptive mission: "Know this: the kingdom of God has come near."¹

And then there is one more bit of Luke you need to hear that did not make it into this selection. Listen to the words of scripture that immediately follow the assigned verses from this morning:

At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it."

Let me repeat that private message just for the disciples: "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it."

The sights and sounds of the reign of God...These gifts greater than those of prophets and kings belong to those called and sent out by Jesus in our text this morning.

Sisters and brothers in Christ I have one other piece of news. Each of us has received such a call, too. Mikayla received the call this morning. And the rest of us received the same call at our baptisms. We are commissioned by our baptism to be bearers of God's love...to go to meet people in their neighborhoods and in their homes, and to witness to those people by helping them to see how God is already at work in their lives.

We do this because we know that God is alive. We know because we have seen Jesus at work in our lives. Perhaps you have seen Jesus while standing in a circle with friends gathered in prayers, or while holding a newborn baby in your arms. Maybe you have seen the new life that is Jesus Christ as you were given a second chance in a relationship. The truth is, we could fill volumes with stories that name all the ways that Christ has shown his face to those of us who are here today.

This is all good news to be sure. It does not mean, however, that as we move forward it is an easy task. Setting out on paths unknown is daunting enough, but making yourself this vulnerable to your hosts...meeting resistance...suffering rejection? It all sounds like the work of specially trained and gifted experts. Fellow disciples, as you hear the words of Scripture this morning, please know that you are not being called to be the Biblical Justice League of Super-Christians. Do not forget Jesus words...this newly expanded team about to embark on a new journey are but "lambs". And remember that lambs are not just released out on their own. They go out under a guiding hand. Jesus, the good shepherd, is standing there behind us "dumb little lambs" with a promise. Jesus promises us peace every time we venture off into unfamiliar territory, every time we travel to places that lie beyond the bounds of what is comfortable to us.

Today's scripture is a reminder that just as the Spirit of the Lord is on Jesus, it falls upon each of us. Just as Jesus was sent to bring good news to the poor, so are we. It started when Jesus empowered the Twelve. It grew when he commissioned the seventy. And if you read to the end of Luke's gospel and through part II, also known as the Acts of the Apostles, you know that how grows from there. This is the story of God is granting Moses' wish, "would it were that all God's people were prophets." It is bearing out Joel's vision of the Spirit poured out upon all flesh. The Spirit of the Lord is upon you, because God has anointed YOU to bring Good News to the poor. Thanks be to God!

So, my fellow lambs, as we head out to travel the road to new life, let us greet strangers in a strange way. Let us show them the peace, and love, and hope that comes from Christ. The harvest is plentiful, the time is now, so hurry on your way...and may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, go with you! Amen

 

¹ Adapted from Culpepper (Luke, The New Interpreter's Bible)