A Right Heart
This morning’s Gospel immediately brings to mind the hundreds of holidays, birthdays and other celebrations, even regular family meals, where my wife and/or my mother sacrificed hours of preparation to make sure that everyone was fed well and having a joyful time.
That makes this Gospel feel like dangerous ground, so we must stipulate up front that there is nothing in this Gospel that dishonors that very loving gift of hospitality. It’s central to our bonds of family, friendships and the life of our church.
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Sent Like the Seventy
I am convicted and motivated by the verses from Luke that we just heard. These verses are the mission call for Fresh Expressions of Church. Nearly 10 years ago, Bishop Brewer sent me the Fresh Expressions book with a note inside, saying, “let me know what you think”. The book is about reaching people in our world who don’t and probably won’t be sitting in our pews on any given Sunday. A calling to mission. I read again, verse one of the 10th chapter of Luke. “The Lord Appointed seventy others and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where He himself intended to go.” “The Harvest is Plentiful!”
Last week Jesus sent his twelve apostles to preach and to heal. Now, he sends out a larger group of 70 (or seventy-two) in some Bibles. Is there something significant about the number 70? We know that every word and sentence in scripture is there for a purpose. The earlier mission of the twelve represents the gospel going to Israel. This mission points to the Gentiles! The number 70 is not random. It’s rich with meaning. It speaks of God’s heart for all nations, for shared ministry, and for a mission that every believer is called to carry. Genesis 10 gives us a list of 70 nations-the “Table of Nations.” This symbolized the known world. By choosing 70, Jesus was declaring: the gospel is for everyone, not just the people of Israel.
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Led by the Holy Spirit
We had a great week with the campers and staff at Camp Wingmann last week. There were over 90 campers, 51 elementary aged and over 40 middle and high school students.
My favorite moment was right at the drop off. Two of my grandsons were campers. As Gabriel was coming out of the middle school boys’ cabin he said proudly, “Grandpa, I picked a bed right next to the bathroom!” I said, “That’s convenient for when you have to go to the bathroom.” I then paused for dramatic effect and said, “It’s also convenient for when you have to clean it.”
Stunned, he turned and look at his father, “I have to clean it?” “Yes, son,” he said. “Everyone has to help with the chores.” “Awww man!” Gabe said. But he happily did his part and had a great week, too.
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