On Being Sent

Much is being said about division and solidarity these days. Is it possible to recognize our diversity and celebrate what unites us?

I believe this is possible and I witnessed an example of it this past Thursday. Without a soloist or recording over the PA system at the Chase County HS football game, I heard a couple of the cheerleaders begin to sing our National Anthem. With Jeanne Hatcher a couple of feet away from me I felt confident to lend my loud voice to the efforts of those young cheerleaders. Soon the fans on both sides of the field and the players from both teams were singing together in honor of our flag and our country.

Nobody was kneeling in protest. Nobody was claiming that any Americans matter any more or less than any other Americans. I’m sure there were supporters of several political parties. Yet, in that moment, we were able to celebrate what unites us all.

In today’s text, Jesus proclaims a message around which people could unite.

In the first century near the land of Palestine, people were more divided than Democrats and Republicans today. The Romans used coercion and the threat of force to impose their values upon the people. Many Jewish people were open to ideas from various leaders and hoping for someone who would overthrow the tyranny. Some traveled to John the Baptist to see if he would lead a revolt. Many itinerant rabbis and philosophers traveled and entertained the crowd like a traveling circus. Today’s text echoes the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew’s Gospel as people gather to consider the ideas of Jesus.

In Matthew’s version of this sermon, Jesus instructs his listeners to pray that the Father’s kingdom would come and the Father’s will would be done on earth.

In Luke’s account, Jesus identifies 12 who would go out as ambassadors of God’s kingdom, then He describes how God’s kingdom is unlike either the Jewish or Greco-Roman presuppositions.

Transition: Jesus begins by enlisting some who had been following and been shaped by his example to become ambassadors who would take the message to others.

From Receiving to Giving (vv.12-19)

From Disciples He named Apostles (vv.12-15)

1. Luke’s 2 historical volumes cover 2 big themes: in Luke, the disciples are identified as the Christ ones, in Acts the apostles with be sent out to spread the message of the Christ ones.

2. Luke takes opportunity to specify each of those who would later be sent out.

3. In the ideal world every believer is a disciple and every disciple is a multiplier. But in a world where Jesus says the seed falls on different types of soil, there are varying levels of commitment to His kingdom.

4. Verse 12 underscores the importance of prayer in the selection of leaders.

5. Sometimes we rush headlong into activities when a pause to seek God would be helpful.

Michael Green tells the story of A boy, age six, was invited by a friend to have dinner. When his friend’s family were all seated around the table, the food was served. The young guest was puzzled and—with the frankness children are so well known for—asked, “Don’t you say any prayer before you eat?” The host was embarrassed by the question and mumbled, “No, we don’t take time for that.” The boy was silent for a moment and then said, “Oh, I see, you eat like my dog does. He just starts right in, too.”[i]

6. If Jesus took a whole night before selecting the Apostles, I hope we will take a few minutes in prayer before casting ballots for leaders.

From the Region came Crowds (vv.17-19)

1. As Jesus appointed his newly-named Apostles to go and give, he continued to model a giving ministry.

2. The Sermon on the Plain is distinct from the Sermon on the Mount, however both include “Jesus’ favorite themes”

a. Matthew clears states Jesus went up on the mountain, Luke says he came down to a level place.

b. Matthew makes no mention of healing, but vv.18-19 indicate that healing of diseases and curing from unclean spirits were significant motivations for this gathering.

We should not be surprised that many themes are repeated in both sermons, while each is unique.

If you’ve happened to encounter the rare speeches or television ads in recent weeks. You will find that some content is unique to a particular audience, while many of the same “talking points” gets repeated ad nauseaum.

3. Hearing – v.17b – 18a clearly says people came from near and far to listen to Jesus’ ideas.

4. Healing – v.18b-19 describes extraordinary healing could be had from a simple touch of Jesus’ body.

Application (v.17)

1. Notice the separate groups identified in v.17. Jesus had both a great crowd of disciples (learners who are being made like their teacher) and a great multitude of people (motivated by their curiosity and need).

2. This room and our Livestream might contain the same 4 groups.

a. Commissioned – some of us would consider ourselves to be in vv.12-16. We have surrendered to the Lordship of Christ and embraced his commission to represent Him in our world as ambassadors.

b. Convinced – v. 13 says that after spending a night in prayer, Jesus chose 12 from them (disciples). I take it from this distinction that there may be some listening right now who would say, “I’m convinced that Jesus is who he claimed to be, I’m trusting Him for my eternal destiny, and I’m willing to become more like Him, but I haven’t yet agreed to actively live that out in a way that influences others.”

c. Considering – Jesus’ teachings were intriguing. I would guess that there are some listening today who would describe yourself in this way. You are considering what it means to follow Christ. How is Christianity different than any other religion? What would change if I decided to follow Jesus and His teachings?

d. Consumers – Just as a great crowd gathered for hearing and healing, I assume there are some listening today for what you may get out of it. You’re hoping for some “public relations credit” as others see you in church or you’re listening for some boost in your mood, but you’re not yet interested in any big changes in your life.

3. Wherever you may be, I believe God’s Spirit is calling you to take the next step.

Transition: As Jesus enlists citizens in His kingdom, the rest of this chapter reveals that His kingdom is unlike any other party, worldview or kingdom on earth.

From Shame to Honor (vv.20-26)

1. We tend to read these 7 verses through our Western eyes, but must remember that as Jesus spoke these words he was speaking in a different time and a different culture.

We are currently gathering supplies to bless the world through Operation Christmas Child. It is important for us to think about how the items we pack may be seen by the child who receives it.

For many of us a toy gun speaks of hunting trips with our father or grandfather, but to many children around the world it only speaks of soldiers coming into their village.

For us a new hairbrush may be a very kind gift honoring the beautiful curly hair of a young girl, but what if your village struggles with lice so the custom is to shave one’s head?

For many of our children a Barbie releases the imagination to whatever that little girl wants to become, but to a dark-skinned girl who has never seen a white person, that same barbie may appear defective.

The English message of hope on that t-shirt may be just as illegible to that child as if you received a gift written in Greek, Arabic or Hebrew.

2. I don’t offer these comments to diminish your compassion in the least for the children of the world, but simply to remind us that our culture doesn’t always translate well in other places.

3. Similarly, when we read blessed are and woe to in the Bible we may not be thinking what Jesus was communicating.

4. We tend to read blessing as comfort or happiness and woe as discomfort or worry.

5. What if I told you that blessing is more closely aligned with those who are honored and woe is connected to shame?

4 Blessings bring Honor (vv.20-23)

1. Jesus offers 4 circumstances where we are wise to give honor, because these situations are those that He honors.

Poor – Jesus doesn’t take pleasure in our want, but He honors when we admit our dependency upon Him.

Hungry – the fulfillment is a future satisfaction. Jesus wants us to yearn for something better. How can we reconcile the hunger in this verse with other places in the Bible (e.g.in 4:13) where we are challenged to be content? I believe the reconciliation can be found in James 4:3—do you yearn for things to truly get better, or do you only want things to get better for you?

Weep – Craig Keener explains, “Weeping was a sign of mourning or repentance.”[ii]- This echoes the poverty already mentioned. Some people won’t admit the need for change.

I have recently enjoyed the song Truth be Told by Matthew West that is being played on Christian radio.

I say I'm fine, yeah I'm fine oh I'm fine, hey I'm fine but I'm not; I'm broken

And when it's out of control I say it's under control but it's not; And you know it

I don't know why it's so hard to admit it; When being honest is the only way to fix it

Mistreated - notice the key phrase on account of the Son of Man! There is nothing honorable about being a jerk, but Jesus honors and reward those who suffer on his behalf. In Luke’s 2nd volume (Acts 5:41), Peter and other apostles rejoiced “that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name”.

Application

1. This shows the upside-down nature of God’s kingdom.

2. Both of our major parties’ candidates are criss-crossing the country making promises that they claim will make your life better.

3. Have you paused to evaluate based upon the 4 examples of what Jesus calls blessing or honor?

a. Which candidate’s promises are more likely to make you admit dependence upon God?

b. Which candidate’s promises move us toward something better for all?

c. Which candidate’s promises admit our current brokenness?

d. Which candidate is more likely to cause you to be mistreated for your obedience to Christ?

4. These questions are not the grid that you will find on either CNN or Fox News. Jesus is saying, “participation in my kingdom is a whole different set of values from the loud voices in society.”

Transition: In the next 3 verses, Jesus reveals the shame that is intrinsic to the opposite of the previous blessings.

4 Warnings of Shame (vv.24-26)

Rich – shame on those who act as if they don’t need God.

Full – shame on those who are satisfied with status quo and fail to look for ways to improve.

If the level of the lake goes down, every vessel on the lake drags bottom. This “more perfect union” motivated our nation’s founders to value liberty and justice for all.

In God’s global kingdom, our goal is not for our people to do better and others to pay the price, but for the common good of all.

Laugh –

Darrel Bock writes, “Levity or harmless humor is not in view here. [The word Luke uses] is often tied to laughter that is boastful, self-satisfied, condescending, or rejoicing in the harm that others experience”[iii]

This laughter is like the mean girls at the “cool lunch table” who tease those who may not have their privilege.

This laughter is when the dining room bursts out when a clash of broken dishes is heard in the kitchen.

Flattered – beware of how quickly popularity can shift! Words that are said to your face, may not be the same as what is said behind your back. The example given in v.26 is those who fell for a con man.

Transition: Let me tie the calling of the 12 and the blessing/woe verses together with a few application points.

Conclusion:

1. Would Jesus describe you in his group of Apostles, his crowd of disciples, or the multitude of curious consumers? What would be necessary for you to move up the spiral?

2. Which kingdom values do you need to give more honor in your daily choices?

Commitment to the Temple or to Caesar did not move people deeper into the Kingdom of God. Jesus called his listeners to a completely different set of values.

Voting blue or red will not determine if you are included or excluded from God’s kingdom. BUT the ballot you cast should reveal your understanding of what God’s kingdom would look like on earth as it is in heaven.

I chose our final hymn for a couple of reasons. 1) the composer is one we honor on Reformation Day, but more importantly, 2) Even when we are poor, hungry, weeping or mistreated we can rest in God’s protection as our Fortress.

Regardless of who is named our President whenever the election results are agreed upon, God is our everlasting, mighty fortress!

[i] Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 277.

[ii] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Lk 6:21.

[iii] Darrell L. Bock, Luke: 1:1–9:50, vol. 1, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1994), 584.