July 7, 2013
Sent on Ahead in Pairs
- Luke 10:1-11
- Rev. Carol McDonald
October, 2007: a lovely autumn morning. 20 women and men, ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament for fewer than 3 years, are gathered at Geneva Center for the final retreat of their 3-year new pastor support program offered to them by the Synod of Lincoln Trails. The day begins with Morning Prayers led by one of the group’s facilitators. As the experienced pastor-leader opens his Bible and begins to read, he prefaces the reading not by saying, “Listen for God’s word for us…” but by saying…”This passage is the lectionary – the assigned reading – for this particular Tuesday – and I almost didn’t use it for this prayer service.”
He then proceeded to read the passage from Luke’s gospel we just read…the story of Jesus sending out the seventy to every town and place where he himself intended to go. Now remember…these are women and men young in the ministry – some already having difficulty in the congregations of their first call. And here comes Jesus to this final retreat to tell them…”I’m sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Some will welcome you, but some won’t! Some will receive the peace you offer, but others will reject both you and the gift you offer. The dust may cling to your feet, but you must simply wipe it off in protest!”
And I kid you not…every one of us gathered for worship that morning began to giggle! We laughed and we groaned. Individually and collectively, we could see ourselves leaving Geneva Center the next day – having competed an amazing 3-year journey together – and now moving back into a world filled with rejection and insecurity and fear…a world where lambs of peace and welcome have little chance against the wolves of greed and hatred. I can report that, following our moments of laughter and groaning, we engaged in an amazing conversation about this passage. And what began as “Thanks a lot, Jesus!” turned into “Thanks, Jesus, for this challenge!”
It became clear to us that we had missed some important points as we first listened to the story. We missed
n That Jesus intends to go to every town and place where he sends us first…that he is right behind us…he has our backs!
n That we do not go alone…we go in pairs…or in our Reformed tradition’s understanding…we go in, and from, community…
n That we are sent to proclaim – both to the welcoming and to the hostile – a very simple, yet profound message… “the Kingdom of God has come near to you.”
Luke is the only gospel writer to tell this story and in it we find God’s amazing strategy for introducing Christ to the world. The twelve who constantly surround Jesus were, first, his followers, then his traveling companions and now are his disciples. In this story, Jesus commissions an advance team for his ministry and these disciples are now called to be apostles.
But Jesus doesn’t send just twelve…he reaches out to his larger community of followers to supplement the ragtag group of disciples. At this point in Luke’s gospel, we are almost half-way from Bethlehem to Jerusalem – on the road from birth in a manger to death on a cross. And in the midst of his ministry, Jesus knows it will take the larger community to spread the word about God’s Kingdom. Seventy others, the story tells us… my math (never very good, believe me!) says that Jesus is sending 41 pairs of apostles into all the places and towns he intends to go. The mission is precise. They are to go on “ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go.”
Picture them about to move out from east to west, from north to south, to little villages, towns and cities – to proclaim the new reality that “the Kingdom of God has come near to you.”
Jesus does promise that the world is a field ripe for harvest…grain stretching in every direction. The moment for harvest has arrived and it will take every possible worker to bring in the grain.
“So go on your way,” says Jesus. “You need to leave the comfort and security of my presence. You’ve received, and now it is time to give. You will be vulnerable…lambs in the midst of wolves. No need for purse or bag or sandals…no need to greet anyone on the road. You are utterly dependent on the hospitality of those you meet. Offer a blessing of peace to each house you enter; accept hospitality if offered…move on without looking back if there is no welcome. You are offering a simple message: “the kingdom of God has come near!”
Wow! Who would want such an assignment? Lambs in the midst of wolves? No supplies…no assurance of welcome…no emergency contact number… just a simple message for all you meet…the Kingdom of God has come near. I don’t think so, Jesus – no thank you! Send someone else, please!
I think those first apostles missed exactly what that group of pastors missed in October of 2007… that hidden in this story is a profound reality. The disciples, plus 70, back then…and each of us here and now…we are Jesus’ advance team…he is right behind us…following us into all the towns and places he intends to visit. Yes, we’re vulnerable even today as we proclaim the good news…but we do not go alone…we go in and from the community of faith we call the church. (Note: our sisters and brothers ministering this very day in Kenya are not alone; they are surrounded by this community of faith called Northminster!) Granted, we have no supplies, no earthly baggage, but we go filled with the power of God. With our hands, our feet, our voices…we go to offer the world that same simple message proclaimed now for two thousand years: “The Kingdom of God has come near you!”
Indeed, the task is no easier for us than it was for those first apostles in Luke’s gospel. We will receive the same reactions: disbelief, questioning, doubt. From some, we will receive welcome. Others will admire our commitment. Some will scorn us; some will ignore us; some will listen to us. No matter what…because of us…in spite of us…Jesus’ message – Jesus’ mission – endures… “the Kingdom of God has come near.”
Wherever we go this week, whatever word we speak, you and I are part of Jesus’ advance team. You will have opportunities to introduce people to Jesus. It might be a family member…perhaps someone in your work environment…perhaps the checker at Kroger or Marsh. But remember -- We go with a blessing of peace. We go surrounded by the presence of God. We go nourished by the bread and cup of Christ’s table.
And remember…you and I are not alone…we are sent out together! Remember…the message is profoundly simple: “the Kingdom of God has come near to you.” And above all…remember that Jesus is right behind us…he’s got our backs! Thanks be to God! Amen.