Call for Disciples:
Looking for people willing to go where they are told
to go, without a map or future notice. Be willing to help people that they do
not know. Be able to travel light – no baggage allowed. This work is expansive,
and the staff is small. Payment made in fish dinners.
In today’s text we learn about Jesus and his summons
of the disciples – a calling to take action in the name of God…
Matthew 9:35-38
"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their
synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease
and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they
were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to
his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask
the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest
field."
Today’s text gives us direction in the action of Jesus
that help answer this question, “What characteristics define a disciple of
Jesus?”
In this text gives and overview of the ministry of Jesus;
just as he summons his disciples to join in his work in the world. The summons
to be a disciple of Jesus was not because of the skill of the disciple; but
more about the fact that Jesus calls them.
By his actions, Jesus casts a vision of what
discipleship is, what seems to be an impossible task … and still calls people
into the role.
On the tails of last week’s lesson to GO into the
world… it important for us to remember that we are summoned to follow Jesus –
wherever we are.
The calling to follow Jesus and serve God
was one of challenge – but also of grace.
Each disciple was called by Jesus. The calling was not
distant – but a personal one. The summons was one that required the disciples
to trust in God’s ability to use the gifts they had; and to grow into the call
more every day – following Jesus’s lead.
This calling to follow Jesus, can be one we think is
reserved for the 12 men named in this text.
We can think that because of their skill, gifts, or
circumstance; that they are somehow the best qualified for the job.
We can think – this story from long ago – times were
simpler and somehow it would be easier to drop everything and follow Jesus.
But Jesus approaches the 12, where they were in a time
of chaos and change and summons them to follow him…
Jesus summons them to serve God and people.
To where and to whom they are to go.
To live, teach and heal in community.
To have relationships of compassion and
passion.
To advocate for the needs of others.
To invite others along in the call to: go
live, teach, heal and serve God and people.
This is a big ask, isn’t it?
Jesus knows the disciples fully. He knows who they are
and what they struggle with. Jesus knows their needs and wants. Jesus knows
their strengths and weaknesses. Jesus knows their humanity – and their made in
the image of God sacredness. Jesus knows their fear that they may not have what
it takes to fulfill the call; and Jesus still calls them.
Jesus knows each one of us. All the details and all
the discouragements – and Jesus summon us to service.
The summons to follow Jesus – takes us to
places, people and circumstances that we do not have the skills to face; but we
still are called. The calling of Jesus is not based on performance – but God’s
grace.
Some have gifts of healing. Some do not.
Some have gifts of teaching. Some do not.
Some have gifts of compassion. Some do not.
In their giftedness – and lack of gift – the disciples are summoned by God.
In our giftedness – and lack of gift – we are summoned
by God.
It is essential that we remember, our
confidence as disciples is not based on our skills – but on and in the calling
and summons that God has given.
God is present. God is powerful.
God is the one who calls us into partnership with God:
creator, redeemer, and comforter.
Jesus did not go to the potential disciples with a job
description in hand.
Jesus saw the person.
Jesus called them to join in work of serving God and
neighbor.
Jesus gave the summons –
(Sing) “Will you come and follow me, if I but call your name?”
The only question is, will we answer Jesus call; where
we are and who we are?
(Sing)” Will you go where you don’t know
and never be the same?”
Will we trust in the Holy Spirit to help us in a harvest
that is plentiful, but the laborers are few?
(Sing) “Will you let my love be shown,
will you let my name be known?”
In a time of chaos, conflict, and challenge - Jesus
calls us to serve God and people.
(Sing) “Will you let my life be grown in
you and you in me?”
SLIDE
7
Jesus
summons us:
To
go where and to whom we are called.
To
live, teach and heal in community.
To
have relationships of compassion and passion.
To
advocate for the needs of others.
To
invite others along in the call to: go live, teach, heal and serve God and
people.
Jesus, full of compassion and grace, calls us to join
in the labor that is all around us. Seeking justice, loving mercy and walking
humbly – knowing we are forever the disciples of Jesus; because we have been
called.
Jesus calls each of us – to use the gifts we have in
partnership with our gifted siblings in the Kin-dom of God; working side by
side to meet the call to serve God and neighbor. The calling is personal – but
the work is done in partnership and relationship with one another.
Welcome to the work of God; we are called, and we are
challenged but we are held together – in the diverse and beautiful Kin-dom of
God.
Jesus summons us.
Will
you love the you, you hide if I but call your name?
Will
you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will
you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around,
Through
my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?
What is our answer to the summons of Jesus? AMEN
Matthew 9:35--10:8 [9-23]
35Jesus
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. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them,
because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then
he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but
the laborers are few; 38therefore ask the Lord of the
harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
10:1Then Jesus summoned his
twelve disciples…
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