12 X 72 X Infinity

First Lesson: 2 Kings 5: 1-14
Responsive Reading: Psalm 30
Second Lesson: Galatians 6: (1-6), 7-16
​Gospel Lesson: Luke 10: 1-11, 16-20

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Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”--Romans 1:16. 

I want to begin by telling everyone a fishing story, but hopefully, it’s a fishing story that you’ve never quite heard.

A group was formed at a church not much different from this one.  The church was in an area not unlike the North Shore surrounded by lakes and streams full of hungry fish.  The group was going to be called the Fishermen’s Fellowship[1].  They hoped to have regular meetings to discuss fishing and tell their best fishing stories.  The first meeting the room was nearly full of avid fishers.

As they began their meeting, someone suggested they needed a group philosophy.  So much discussion ensued regarding the purpose of fishing.  The group then developed a list of preferred fishing strategies.  They wanted to think exactly as the fish would think? They then discussed the best types of fish food.  Pretty soon, the members started traveling to conferences about fishing.  Some even went back to school to get Ph. D’s in Fish Biology[2].  While the group had made progress in a lot of areas, they had yet actually to go fishing.

So another subcommittee was formed to determine the best fishing places for their limited number of fishers to venture. Surveys were handed out to the group. Lists of best fishing spots were placed on the church’s bulletin board.  With all these meetings, it seemed that no one had any time to fish anymore[3].

One day, a new member joined the group named Jake.  Jake, after an inspiring meeting at church, went fishing and caught a beautiful walleye.  At the next meeting, he told his story to a roomful of cheering fishers.  Pretty soon, Jake was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Fishermen’s Fellowship and no longer had time to fish[4]. 

Jake soon realized that this fishing fellowship did everything but catch fish.  Jake finally one day thought of what seemed to be a genius solution. Jake invited a buddy of his to one day sneak away from the meeting to go fishing.  What happened next? The two of them caught many fish as everyone else was too busy with their meetings[5].

Now this story might silly with all sorts of really enthusiastic fishermen sitting around the room discussing the best fishing techniques never having the time actually to go “fish.”

As we hear this story,  we wonder, how often we are the same way as Christian people?

Today’s Gospel lesson comes to us from the 10th Chapter of Luke’s Gospel[6].   In the previous chapter[7], Jesus had commissioned twelve disciples to go spread the Gospel into neighboring villages[8], Jesus hopes the Twelve keep going with this mission until they reach the very ends of the Earth.

Now in Today’s lesson, Jesus commissions “seventy-two[9],” more people to do the same thing.

How Jesus goes about giving these instructions is interesting: Jesus doesn’t spend  time giving the seventy-two the perfect technique like the church fishing group, nor does he spend time enlisting every type of scenario they might encounter.  Jesus rather reminds them of the importance of reaching out and trusting that God, rather than our brilliant techniques, will bring about faith and salvation. 

Jesus, instead of endless discussion regarding the perfect evangelism strategy encourages something else, Jesus’ instructions are that these seventy-two gather to go out “Two by Two. To support each other as there will often be times that the seventy-two feel like “lambs” among the “wolves[10].” Talking or sharing our faith can seem the same way, but encouragement can make all the differences in the world.
When I was in college, I had a roommate named Chris.  Chris grew up in Palisade, Minnesota.  Chris was familiar with Grandma’s Marathon growing up in the area, but he heard 26.2 miles, he thought could never do that[11].  Chris would get made fun for his weight as a child.  Chris would try to make lifestyle changes in college, but they would always be short-lived.  Chris got married in 2005; I was the best man at Chris’ wedding.  Chris, on his wedding day, weighed 331 pounds. 

Shortly after getting married, Chris realized that he was no longer living for just himself, but now he had a wife.  He knew things had to change, so he didn’t have a heart attack at 40-50.  He began walking on river trails near where he lived[12].  He shortly after decided to sign up for a 5K run where he would be forced to run a portion to break his goal of 40 minutes.  He ran a 38:40.  He was exhausted. He didn’t know that he could ever run another 5 K again.

He soon started seeing advertisements popping up for 5K’s for important causes to him.  So Chris kept running races.  Thanks to his wife Rebecca’s encouragement, he changed his diet for the better.  Chris eventually lost over 100 lbs. Two weeks ago, Chris ran all 26.2 miles of Grandma’s Marathon. 

Now Chris will never be the fastest runner in any race. He describes “weight loss” as a journey with its share of highs and low[13]s.  But thanks to those first steps that he dared to take, his life, and the lives of his wife and children will be forever changed. 

Now Evangelism can often work the same way where any one step may seem insignificant, or even pointless until you look back to see what’s been accomplished.

Just a few years back, a missionary journeyed to one of the world’s largest mission fields in China.  The missionary upon arriving in China was overwhelmed by the sheer number of people in the nation[14].  He couldn’t begin to figure out how he could ever reach all these people with the Gospel.  Every factor seemed to be working against him. 

He eventually got in connection with a tiny church in a remote, agricultural part of the nation.  They wanted him to visit, their church.  He had to travel for hours upon unfinished, rough roads to arrive at a dilapidated building that looked long abandoned.  On that night, he was greeted by thirty Christians.  The only commonality in the room was their shared belief in Jesus, the forgiveness of sins, and the gift of eternal life.   This church had no resources: no youth programs, no band, no fancy equipment, and no great dreams for their church.  The missionary then made the suggestion: share the Gospel with five people in your circle of family and friends.  They then spent time practicing how to share their faith.  The missionary then came back in two weeks; the group  began catching up on their lives: joy and struggles. 

The missionary then asked: “Did anyone share the Good News of Jesus” as we discussed two weeks ago.  The room was silent.  Finally, an old farmer stood up and spoke.  He had shared his faith with others both in person and via other means.  Nine of his family members had become Christians.  They had joined the Chinese house church movement.  Within the next decade, hundreds of thousands of new Christians became believers in China because of people like this farmer[15]. 

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. -(Acts 1:8)”
Where are we called to Evangelize?

The majority of you are not going to be called to go to mainline China or various ends of the Earth[16].  Some of you might be called to witness to Samaritans, hurting/marginalized people of our communities.  Some of you might do outreach within Judea, people within our region or state whose paths you may come across. Everyone will experience a calling to share their faith within their own Jerusalem their network of connections amongst families and friends, people whose paths they will encounter every day.  The Christian Church in the 1st Century grew from just a few hundred on the Day of Pentecost to more than six million people within a century[17].  Most of these new Christians were not converted by famous preachers like Peter and Paul, but rather the testimony of Christians like us. 

While this might seem scary and overwhelming, let us remember what happened to the people that Jesus sent out in his name? 

Luke 10:17: “The seventy –two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" 

The seventy-two  found success in those very places that they least expected it.  Here’s the point of our lesson, the seventy-two  were not extraordinary people.  They did not have the perfect words to speak.  .  But what they had was a life-changing message.  “Jesus died for each one of us. So that we may become inheritors of his kingdom.” This message would forever change the world of those around them.   

Once upon a time, there was a Greek soldier[18].  He was a witness to a battle between Athens and Persia.  His fellow Athenians had won. The solider was tasked with sharing this good news; he was instructed to run from the battlefield back to Athens without stopping.  Upon arriving into Athens, then finding the gathering crowd he pronounced to cheers: “We Won.’” Right after this, the soldier collapsed and died.

 You see, the battle had occurred in a place called Marathon[19].  It was 26.2 miles to the center of Athens.  The soldier was not a trained distance runner like my friend Chris.  He hadn’t sat in countless meetings discussing running strategy. Like the old farmer in China, he might not have been the most likely of runners. The soldier realized the importance of every single step he took to bring “Good News.” To his fellow Athenians.  He believed the hope and joy won in this victory was so great that he was even going to give his life to spread it. 

‘The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few[20].”  Amen
 
 


[1] Unknown. “Fishermen’s Fellowship.” Stories for Preaching. Web. June.23.2019. 
[2] Unknown. “Fishermen’s Fellowship.” Stories for Preaching.
[3] Unknown. “Fishermen’s Fellowship.” Stories for Preaching.
[4] Unknown. “Fishermen’s Fellowship.” Stories for Preaching.
[5] Unknown. “Fishermen’s Fellowship.” Stories for Preaching.
[6] Luke 10:1-11,16-20. 
[7] Luke 9:1-9. 
[8] Niell Donovan, Richard. “Biblical Commentary: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20.” Sermon Writer. 2007.2010.2012. Web. June.22.2019. 
[9] Some Biblical manuscripts have the number at seventy. The Sychar pew Bible lists the number at 72 which is used for sake of sermon. 
[10] Luke 10:3.
[11] Bergstrom, Adelie. “Down more than 100 pounds, he's ready for Grandma's.” Duluth News Tribune. 16.June.2019. Web. June.22.2019. 
[12] Bergstrom, Adelie. “Down more than 100 pounds, he's ready for Grandma's.” Duluth News Tribune.
[13] Bergstrom, Adelie. “Down more than 100 pounds, he's ready for Grandma's.” Duluth News Tribune.
[14] Seltz, Rev.Dr.Gregory. “"Appointed, Anointed and Sent". Lutheran Hour. 7.July.2013. Web. June.22.2019. 
[15] Seltz, Rev.Dr.Gregory. “"Appointed, Anointed and Sent". Lutheran Hour.
[16] Peel, Bill. “How to Identify Your Mission Field | Acts 1:8.” Center for Faith and Work.  LeTourneau University. Longview, Texas. Web. June.22.2019. 
[17]   Peel, Bill. “How to Identify Your Mission Field | Acts 1:8.” Center for Faith and Work. 
[18] Seltz, Rev.Dr.Gregory. “"Appointed, Anointed and Sent". Lutheran Hour.
[19]Seltz, Rev.Dr.Gregory. “"Appointed, Anointed and Sent". Lutheran Hour.
[20] Luke 10:2.