+ 4thSunday after Pentecost – July 7, 2019 +
Series C: Isaiah 66:10-14; Galatians 6:1-10, 14-18; Luke 10:1-20
Beautiful Savior Lutheran, Milton
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God is the God who sends.
In the Old Testament, the Lord sent the prophet Isaiah to declare judgment of Israel’s sins and words of comfort in the midst of Jerusalem’s destruction. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
After his death, resurrection, and ascension, the Lord sent the apostle Paul to proclaim to the Galatians that we are justified, not by works of the Law, but by faith in Christ Crucified, freely as a gift, and to teach them how justified Christians live: So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Before his death and resurrection, the Lord sent out disciples. First the 12 disciples in Luke 9; and here in Luke 10, the 72 disciples. Jesus gave the 72 the same words he gave Isaiah, Paul, the prophets, and apostles to declare: a word of warning and promise. To declare “Peace to this house for the reign and rule, the kingdom of God has come near to you.”
God is the God who sends. The Father sent his only begotten Son, Jesus. Jesus sent his disciples as apostles, “sent ones”. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly that the Lord of the harvest would send out laborers into his harvest.
Normally in scripture the harvest is an image of judgment. But not here. Here the harvest is an image of Jesus’ mission to seek and save the lost. So, Jesus sent out the 72.
Jesus sent them with his authority. Jesus taught them His Words. Jesus promised they would be receive provision along the way. The one thing Jesus did not give the 72 was an easy job.
Behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
The 72 were sent to represent the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the One who was going to His sacrificial death on the cross.
God is the God who sends. So did not send the 72 out alone. As God sent the animals into the ark 2 by 2 to make a new creation, Jesus sends the word of his new creation out two by two. Safety in numbers from the wolves. But also a communion and fellowship in Jesus.
Jesus does the same for us too.. Calls us his children. Welcomes us into the Father’s house. Feeds us his own body and blood. Gathers us together so that we’re not easy pickings for the wolves. Our Lord doesn’t call us to be solitary Christians, but to live together in fellowship and communion around his gifts. And to invite others to hear that Good News of Jesus Crucified and receive his gifts.
God is the God who sends. And that’s the message Jesus sent the 72 to proclaim. Heal the sick and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God has come near to you.’ Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’
Not the kind of peace get from a Hallmark card, or watching a beautiful sunset, or between warring nations. But peace in sins forgiven. Peace in the kingdom of God – God’s good and gracious rule and reign – that has come in Christ. Peace in Jesus crucified and risen.
Jesus also prepared those 72 sent ones for what would happen as they were sent out. Some would hear and rejoice. Some would hear and reject.
Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
That’s the thing about a gift. It’s given. And sadly, it can be rejected. To refuse the gifts is to reject the Giver. To refuse salvation is to reject the Savior. That’s what makes the “unforgivable sin” unforgivable - the refusal to be forgiven. The kingdom of God has drawn near, but you want nothing to do with it. The forgiveness of sins is there for you, but you see nothing in yourself that needs forgiveness.
This is why Jesus sent out the 12. And then the 72. And then the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. And then more apostles and disciples. And finally his church. To proclaim the Good News that God is the God who sends.
For God loved the world in this way that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Though we are not the 12 or the 72, though we are not prophets or apostles, though we are not given the unique promises to tread on scorpions or snakes or heal the sick, God is still the God who sends.
The Holy Spirit who was poured out at Pentecost is sent to dwell with you as you as a baptized child of God. The Father who sent his only-begotten Son to save you welcomes you to his house in this place to receive true and lasting peace in His Son. Peace of sins forgiven. Peace in Jesus’ body and blood. Peace that no matter how bad the world gets, no matter how fowl the wolves breath and fierce his fangs, no matter how bad our sin, how deep our guilt, how painful our hurt – His Son was sent to take it all upon himself on the cross for you.
And the same Son, Jesus, who was with the 72, is with you. Today when you heard these words, “I forgive you all your sin” you hear Jesus’ absolution. Today as receive Jesus’ body and blood you receive a holy, medicine of immortality. Today as you hear the Word of Jesus and receive his peace in his holy Supper, the kingdom of God has come near to you.
And though we’re not the 12 or the 72, we are each called to different vocations to love and serve our neighbor. Sent out by the God who sent Jesus to save us.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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