Gospel: Matthew 9:35—10:8 [9-23]

 35 Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
  10:1 Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananaean and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.
  5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not take a road leading to gentiles, and do not enter a Samaritan town, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Cure the sick; raise the dead; cleanse those with a skin disease; cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.

Grace, mercy, and peace be yours in order that you may share what you have been given, by our Lord.

We are introduced to all twelve of the apostles in this text. It is the only time in Matthew that the word apostle is used to refer to these 12 disciples. Apostle means ‘sent ones.’ And that is exactly what happens here. At this point it was time for the disciples - the ‘students’ to have their opportunity for hands on learning and so they are sent out: apostles. They are given authority from Jesus to do the very thing he has been doing - cast out the unclean spirits, cure the sick, and proclaim the good news. 

Last week we saw how Jesus did not judge between the worthy and the acceptable, and those who were considered outcast and sinners. He looked only at their need and responded to their requests. He was open and generous to any and to all, his compassion was unlimited. As Jesus sends out his trainees we notice something about this group of men; this group was an interesting combo. Peter will end up denying Jesus 3 times, Judas will outright betray him. Matthew worked for the occupation forces and Simon the Cananaean worked purposely and zealously against that Roman empire. There must have been some interesting discussion/ arguments as they traveled along or sat down to eat.  Yet these are the ones whom Jesus sends out to go to the lost sheep of Israel to proclaim that good news of God’s grace and forgiveness. They are to make known and demonstrate the power of the kingdom of heaven as it comes near which will change lives. Jesus expects them to work together, they are the first of the laborers who are to bring in the harvest. It is the pattern that was established and the church is to continue to follow in that way.  Among us, we too will hold a variety of opinions. We will not be perfect in our faith or performance, and we might not all be the best of friends. Yet we have the same task and we need to depend upon each other.  If we cannot learn how to cooperate with our brothers and sisters in Christ how will we ever be able to influence those who are not part of the church? How will we be able to sincerely reach out and care for them? 

These challenges come upon us in our everyday life. Consider these examples from a former Connections publication.   Your employee simply is not getting it.  She is habitually late. Her inability to get with the program is causing frustration that is quickly becoming resentment among the rest of the staff. The worst part of it may be that the foundering employee doesn’t seem to understand — or care. It’s your responsibility to do something. You don’t have time to waste on an employee who’s not working out — but you make the time and it turns out that your investment in this struggling employee pays off.

The clerk or sales rep is treating you like a number, not a human being. You’re about to walk out or hang up. You don’t need this — but maybe they do. 

We all encounter the rude, the incompetent, the self-centered. They distract us, they embarrass us, they anger us. We finally reach that point of “enough” and we demand satisfaction, accountability, change.        Or else.

 It’s the “or else” part that is your true challenge.

(June 2023 Connections)

 It is then you discover the cost of following Jesus. Yes, they may not be pulling their weight. Yes, their messing up affects all the rest. To hold them accountable is only just.  But it’s at that moment Jesus calls you to the work of mercy. It is time to realize God’s Kingdom is one of reconciliation, healing is possible. It will not be easy, there is a cost. We will have to put aside our self- righteousness, perhaps some pride. We may have to lay aside our own desire for control and personal satisfaction. 

Timothy Keller notes in his book “The Prodigal God”: “Mercy and forgiveness must be free and unmerited to the wrongdoer. If the wrongdoer has to do something to merit it, then it isn’t mercy, but forgiveness always comes at a cost, even to the one granting the forgiveness.”   That is why Jesus reminded his apostles that they received without payment - they did not earn or pay for the mercy they had accepted and therefore they would need to offer what they were given and now share it, and just as freely. Mercy and love were the true gifts, no strings attached.

We are challenged then by Christ, our shepherd and Savior. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. The implication is made that we are those laborers that are to sent - not that other guy. Together, with our variety of opinions, approaches, and backgrounds, we are to go out into the world, into our neighborhoods, and do the good that unexpected possibilities open before us. I guarantee that your acts of compassion, all that you go out of your way to do for others, will bring forth fruit to be harvested. You may not have the chance to see that result but it will happen. You will bring in a harvest that others have planted and worked for. We have the example and promise of Jesus to rely upon. Just trust in Him.