Title: Hearing the word, we hear Jesus!
Text: Luke 10:1-20
Facebook live: Hearing the word, we hear Jesus!
16 “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
In the Gospel lesson for today our Lord appoints a large number … 72 as our text reads to go in pairs, telling them:
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
As we learned last week in the Gospel lesson, Jesus was resolute as He set His face towards Jerusalem. His time on earth was moving towards the cross and his atoning and vicarious death for you.
This sending of workers into the mission field would be no easy task as Jesus Himself says when He says, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. This calling and sending, for those 72, would bring the same anger and rebuke that was leveled at Jesus. Many who serve the proclamation of the Gospel today see and feel this as well.
Jesus says:
16 “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
These messengers were sent to bring peace and healing to a dying world. They were sent with the good news that the Kingdom of God was at hand. The Kingdom of God was embodied in the incarnate God/man Jesus Christ and some would reject this good news … sending the dust of their town off the sandals of those sent in condemnation for their rejection.
Though at times the comfort and peace of Christ is rejected … service to the Lord remains joyful.
Peace and healing. Two wonderful and good things; but in our day to day not always appreciated or received. At times when we have peace we push others to the brink of anger, instead of taming our own tongue and keeping things peaceable. Often we break friendships and even sever families requiring God, through repentance, to bring forgiveness and healing to, those in need.
Christ’s rebuke though, to those who rejected His messengers in Chorizin and Bethsaida which were, almost side by side, on the shores of Lake, Gennesaret – the sea of Galilee - though great miracles had been done in their midst, the words of eternal life and love out of the mouth of Jesus had made no impression upon them.
Even Capernaum, the Lord’s headquarters during His Galilean ministry, would receive the full measure of His wrath on the last day and be forcefully thrust down to hell.
It’s pretty sobering - and a word of warning here for us all.
Though Christ has called us to faith by word and sacrament and has been in our midst for years, decades, and even generations, in both the written and spoken Word of the Gospel; how often, is He (Jesus) neglected and overlooked in the homes of his children?
No Scripture, or family devotion; and no regular church attendance for some; -- how might Christ’s rebuke to these cities reach into your home and mine as the dust of His judgment is kicked off His feet and settles at the feet of those who have turned from His loving call?
Kretzmann Commentary NT Vol. 1 Pg322
As my pastor Ronald Moritz at St. John once said:
“If you reject God’s love, you receive his wrath!”
But even in the Lord’s rebuke there is hope.
Tyre and Sidon, heathen cities whom the Jews despised for their idolatrous practices and beliefs, Jesus said, would long since have repented, covered with sack-cloth, and ashes.
Spending time in the hospital, with home visits, and with funerals, the truth of God’s abiding peace and comfort becomes evident.
Families at these difficult times are brought back to the reality of life and death issues.
Even in dire situations the Lord works on the hearts of those He loves.
Most recently Ruth Dows death and funeral brought the trial of our sinful condition to light. The loss of a dear wife has given much for Charlie to grieve about. Loss and grief are contrasted with the reunion one day, gives hope and peace.
At our convention this past week there were many joyful proclamations of God’s love, service and sending through those who serve and have served.
Rev. Mandla Khumalo - St. Peter’s Confessional Lutheran Church, in Middelburg, South Africa is one. He passed away suddenly in 2021 having served Christs Kingdom for over 40 years.
He preached at the 500th anniversary service of the Reformation at the Breslin Center in East Lansing in 2017. They showed a few minutes of his sermon as he in his raspy voice call us to “Get ready, get set - go!” into the world for mission and service.
Pastor Kenneth Wise, Sr. pastor Trinity Clinton Twp. who preached at the service got quite emotional as he recounted the three dear friends on the list of those pastors who have departed to be with the Lord. As he remembered Pastor Steven Essenburg, who served Charity Lutheran church in Detroit for many years he said, “Steve taught me that sometimes to do mission work - you need to stay!”
Bob Poe and I were brought to tears as we saw Pastor Merrell’s name on the list of faithful departed pastors and more so when his picture was on the screen. Pastor Merrell was one who was called and sent and they stayed as pastor for 32 years and an additional 10 years as pastor emeritus here at peace. Over 50 years of faithful service to the Lord’s work, the Lord’s children and the Lord’s kingdom by going and staying.
God bless his sainted memory!
It was very hard to sing his favorite hymn “Behold a Host Arrayed in White” without tears.
Friends, the good news is really good news as proclaimed by the 72 who returned rejoicing!
“Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
But Jesus reminds them of the great power that they have in His name also cautions them …
20 … do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Christ’s joy is to bring peace to your house in Him. In Christ you receive the comfort of eternal life because His promise is to never leave you nor forsake you. (Heb 13:5)
Christ’s call is to:
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, as you 7 cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. And we are told to 8 be watchful, because the devil, your adversary, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:6-8
Though the devil prowls … in Christ you have eternal security and Lord’s promise that your name is written in heaven.
Through the word of God the harvest is gathered!
While it is not important for us to know the names of the 72 or those whom the Lord uses to bring His Gospel message to the lost.
It is important to know that Jesus knows you … and that your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life.
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
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