2020-03-10 Season of Lent » A time to reflect on our journey The Lord of the Harvest with Jesus » 7 weeks leading up to Easter Since the heart of it is the relationship between the sender and the sent, a mission cannot be possessed: on the Sender & Sent Ones contrary, it requires a daily abandonment to the one who missions. Mission means precisely that we are no longer in control of our own life- someone else is. ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the After this the Lord appointed labourers are few; therefore ask the seventy others and sent them on Lord of the harvest to send out ahead of him in pairs to every town labourers into his harvest. Go on and place where he himself intended your way. See, I am sending you out to go. He said to them, like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 1
2020-03-10 Harvest Great; Sent Out by Jesus Workers Few » 70 disciples sent out in 2s » 70 – a symbolic number » Workers are needed (then & now) » Pray to the Father for workers representing the nations (Genesis 10) » Going out as advance teams of Jesus’ ministry Travel Light; “Proclaim” Stay Focused » “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” (v9 & 11) » Light (v4); stay focused (v4b) » It is good news not bad but » Focus on hospitality depends on the perspective of the recipient » We pray for open hearts Different Responses » Some respond in peace (v5) The Success of the Mission » Others reject (v10-11) » The kingdom of God has still drawn near » Chorazin & Bethsaida (v13) 2
2020-03-10 He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of Nevertheless, do not rejoice at lightning. See, I have given you this, that the spirits submit to you, authority to tread on snakes and but rejoice that your names are scorpions, and over all the power written in heaven.’ of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. The Disciples Return At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, » Return in joy and enthusiasm Father, Lord of heaven and earth, » Satan fell like lightening (v18) because you have hidden these things from the wise and the » Rejoice in your relationship with intelligent and have revealed them the Father – no pride (v20) to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. Jesus’ Prayer of Thanks A Johanine Lightening Bolt » A response not based on IQ rather All things have been handed over to based on the Spirit’s revelation me by my Father; and no one knows » Open hearts like a child who the Son is except the Father, or » Wisdom (sophia) is from God who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son (enlightenment) chooses to reveal him. (10:22) 3
2020-03-10 A Focus on Relationship Going » Not knowledge but relationship; Forward not theology but a dynamic with Jesus We Are Sent Ones Our Message: Good News » The kingdom of God has drawn » Jesus is the sender near » We are the sent ones both as » A message of love, inclusion, individuals & as a faith community acceptance To you, Lord, I return it. Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, Everything is yours; do with it what my memory, my understanding, and you will. my entire will, Give me only your love all that I have and call my own. and your grace. You have given it all to me. That is enough for me. 4
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