Christ’s Commission

Luke 10:1-20

 

A commission is given to all of us to go and preach the Gospel to all nations.  Our Lord Jesus Christ is asking us to preach the Word to those who do not know Him.  He is sending us to establish His Kingdom on this earth and in the hearts of human beings.  Why cannot He send his angels to do this job?  He can do that but He wants us to do this job for his kingdom.  Therefore, He needs our bodies and minds to work for him.  Are we ready to take this job? 

 

PRAY:  Before Jesus was sending his 72 missionaries to all over Israel, He asked them to Pray.  He says, “Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest for the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.” (v.2)

Before you enter into this job, Jesus says,  “STOP AND PRAY.”   We should pray to the Lord, our Creator to send missionaries to preach his Good news to all human beings.  We need more people, because this work in front of us is very great and very large.

What is going on in our Missouri Synod and other Church bodies in these present days?  After 2010 many Pastor are retiring and we are unable to catch up to fill up the gap, because we are not getting enough young men to go to seminaries to become pastors. 

What should we do?  Jesus said, that we should ask God to send new pastors and missionaries to reach out. 

 In addition, we should also encourage our children to become pastors and missionaries to work in His vineyard.  Why our children do not want to become pastors and mission workers?

While my son was in pre-school, he wanted to become a pastor like his dad.  Now, he finished his high school, and now, he went to go college, and he does not become a pastor and wanted to become some thing else, like a computer engineer or a police officer.

In the last week’s Gospel reading, we red that the cost is too heavy for them who follow Christ, Commitment to Jesus, giving first priority to Him and his church, but there is no enough payments or rewards.  Moreover, no extra benefits in this world.  Who will take these kinds of jobs? 

In one of our Pastors’ retreat, our President asked us,  “There is a big congregation looking for a Pastor, they will pay all your previous debts, and pay good money and benefits, who wants to go.”  Every one raised their hand.  Moreover, he again said, “There is an another congregation which is very small and struggling to survive and it will pay little money and no benefits, but willing to grow, who wants to go and help them.”  No one raised hand.  This is the position of our committed pastors now, how can we expect more from our young men?

Therefore, who will come forward to serve the Lord?  We should keep on asking God so that He can call his faithful believers who love Him and love His people and passion for their salvation.  We should also pray to the Lord of harvest to create these kinds of people to become pastors and missionaries of the church to establish His kingdom on earth.  He is the Lord of harvest and he knows what to do.

 

PLAN:  After joining in this job you need to go for orientation class. In this class, the instructor tells you what you should do and what you should not do.  In addition, where should you go, and the job’s requirements and cautions.

After Jesus appointed seventy-two others as his missionaries he told them, “Carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.  Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’… And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, … heal the sick and preach ‘the kingdom of God has come near to you.’” (Vs. 4-10) 

The warning is, “Behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.” (v.3).  They are not going to work in the Garden of Eden but into the wild forest where wild animals and poisoned serpents are living.  This means that his job is very tuff. 

One of my nephew told to me, “Uncle your job is very easy, just on Sundays i.e just one hour.”  Some time after while he saw my struggle in the congregation he realized that how hard it is to be a pastor.

This job is 24 hours and seven days in a week.

Nevertheless, Jesus gave them power to heal the sick to preach the good news about him to prepare for his arrival into towns and cities.  This was needed to the first disciples to bring peoples’ attention to believe in Jesus that he was the Messiah whom the people of Israel waited for a long time. 

In these days, it is also hard for the ministers to take the Gospel of Christ to people who do not want Him.  Why our churches are empty to day?  It is not our fault or any pastor’s fault but the people love to live luxurious life and want to live free from religious and moral values.

If they reject Jesus and his Cross, we leave them to the Day of Judgment.  God will take care of them.  However, our duty is to preach the forgiveness of sins and repentance.  Jesus said, “I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.” V.12.

 

PROCEED:  Now we need to proceed into this job.  Jesus gave his disciples the power to heal the sick and authority to forgive sins.

 We are also given same authority by our Lord to proclaim the Kingdom of God and repentance. 

If any one receives the gospel they will be saved and enter the eternal kingdom of God.  God gives them grace who believes Jesus Christ. 

Christ has accomplished every thing for us on the Cross of Calvary.  Who ever comes with broken heart and repentance will receive this grace. 

Through His Word and Sacraments, we are now receiving His grace. 

He has given us authority to crush down Satan and his servants. 

This is not a job but this is a servant hood of Jesus Christ.  The reward will be very great at the end. 

These 72 mission workers came back and reported Jesus with a great joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” v.17. 

Jesus said, “ Do not rejoice in this, that your names are written in heaven.” V.20.

It is a great reward to pastors and missionaries who served the Lord with faithful hearts and complete commitment. 

Like Paul we can say, “I boast in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Gal 6:14.

 

Dear Children of God, Do you want to work in His vineyard? 

Look out side of this church door; see that the harvest is plenty.  Listen their cry for the forgiveness of sins and salvation. Can you go and help them where they can earn the eternal life? 

People in India go to River Ganges to take bath for their forgiveness of sins.  They know the Law that their sins are many and they are going to be condemned one day. 

However, they do not know the Gospel that saves them from their sinful nature. 

We are here on earth, and we have given authority to reach them with the Word and Sacraments to give them grace, which leads them to the forgiveness of sins. 

Our duty is to connect them to Christ Jesus as their personal savior. 

People are wandering without any hope and they are in miserable condition. 

They need a savior who gives them comfort and joy.  We know that they can find these things in Jesus Christ; your job is to connect them to Jesus. 

In a small village, I saw a church building; in its front yard, there is a small stage.  Some laborers were carrying their heavy baggage on their backs in front of the church.  While they were carrying, some of them put down their baggage on that stage and take rest a while.  On that state a cross is standing, under the cross these words are written:

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

 It is very meaningful to them. 

Let the doors of our church are open; let us invite those who are burdened by their sins to come to Jesus and receive the salvation and go with joyful hearts.

May the Lord give His grace and guide you to be His workers in this neighborhood. Amen.