"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."
Jesus didn't come to pick a fight, but the fight always seemed to find him. Even a casual reading of any of the gospels reveals this. All three years of his ministry were filled with conflict, intrigue, and conspiracy. His life was in danger from the day he was born. While many ran to him, there was always someone who felt threatened by him, or who was a stakeholder in the status quo. The crowds who were drawn to him could turn at any moment, become a mob and attempt to force his hand. His teachings didn't always agree with those of the local authorities. And a rumor followed him around, that he was a king of some sort. Uninvited kings are not welcome in other kings' kingdoms. So when he sent his disciples out to represent him, his instructions were sobering.
Rescuing people is dangerous business. In college, I took an advanced lifesaving course to become a lifeguard, and I remember how much time we spent learning how to rescue a drowning person. I had no idea how dangerous drowning people were. The most likely scenario was for the drowning person to take the rescuer down with him. We learned special techniques that enabled us to save another person's life and prevent them from killing us in the process.
Jesus came to a world that was drowning, and he had to train the Sent Ones to save lives without getting pulled down. By all means go, he said, but understand that the people to whom I am sending you are desperate and afraid. They can be unpredictable. Sometimes they will attack you. You have to love so much that you're still willing to go after them, but wily enough to deliver aid without getting pulled under. And at some point, the Master may ask you to just endure the pain so that someone else may live. He knows firsthand what that's like.
You and I are the Sent Ones today. Are we willing to jump into the treacherous waters of our neighborhood, community and family? By all means, go. But be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. People desperately need the love of Jesus, but they won't always respond favorably, and you may not always get expressions of gratitude. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THE RESCUE ISN'T WORTH IT. While I was writing this post, a member of our church called and shared with me a small "hit" that he had taken in the effort to serve someone else. So be it. Be smart, and love anyway.
You may have been the "sent one" in your life, and have the scars to prove it. Share your story, past or present, with the group.
This set of verses jumped out at me this morning...
ReplyDelete5-8Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge:
"Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.
9-10"Don't think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don't need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light.
I am amazed at what God choses to do with individuals who are willing to live life with intentionality and mission. There's a purpose behind every conversation, every dinner, every wave, etc.. I sometimes get caught up in the "needs" for stuff to make it happen the way I want it to happen, but it doesn't appear God is concerned with that...