Communion Sunday July 4, 2010 "I Want To Walk With Jesus" Reverend Karen Crooch Galatians 6:1-10, Luke 10:1-3a

It will come as no surprise to you to hear that Jesus is the core - the very heart of the gospel message. For surely Jesus is sent by God so that we might come to understand what it is that God hopes for us and expects from us.

Jesus is a model whose life is depicted through a vast variety of stories in the gospel. Many among us have been hearing them all of our lives, while some of us are new to the gospel of Jesus and thus new to hearing and learning from these life-giving stories. But, whether we are hearing for the first time or have been life long learners, the word can be as fresh for us today as when it first came to our ears. There is always something new that touches our heart and invites our consideration..

Pause to reflect, visualize Jesus teaching; preaching; healing the sick; listening; interacting with children; feeding the hungry; gently, but clearly, chastising his hearers when indicated - encouraging them to live with a focus on others; inviting people into service and challenging us to follow God’s word that we might live in a new way – a way that is about sharing the love of God by serving those we meet in our every day settings whether close at hand or far away.

Jesus calls followers. He sends them out. This is the Jesus we know. This is the Jesus we love. And this is the Jesus whose loving example we strive to follow.

Some biblical scholars believe that the seventy ties into the Genesis scripture that counts 70 or 72 as the number of nation descendents of Noah. Clearly, it expresses a number larger than Jesus has sent out on any previous mission. Thus, through this commissioning story, Luke infers an expanding mission into the entire world.

Let’s see how many folks are here this morning? Do you suppose its 70 - perhaps it’s more. If we were literalists, reading each biblical word as written and unchallengeable, it would have to be exactly 70. But we United Methodists, for the most part are not literalists, and thus it is that we come to understand the greater truths that come through the stories rather than simply the literal specifics.

So for me, the story is not so much about exactitudes, as it is about relaying an intended way of life. But, if we were literalists, we could count off until we reach 70 and send those folks out into God’s mission field beyond our doors to do God’s work – while the rest of us stay and pray and sing, listen to God’s word read and proclaimed and simply enjoy basking in one another’s company. Do you see that happening here this morning? No? Me neither!

Or we could ask for volunteers? Okay, who’s ready to go? So perhaps a few of you! - But, not enough. Well, Jesus didn’t ask for volunteers. He knows all to well our hesitancy to put ourselves out there. It’s not always comfortable. Let someone else do it! I’d rather stay here and be comforted by God’s word surrounding me - which makes me feel good.

Just a few minutes ago, we sang the familiar spiritual hymn, “I want Jesus to walk with me.” It’s a beautiful song that speaks to our yearning to have Jesus be present with us in all of life. And I absolutely do want

Jesus to walk with me and I suspect that you do too.

Jesus has been walking with his followers (and with others too, though they may not know it) for a couple thousand years. During his lifetime he walked with sinners, with the ill, with the poor and needy, as well as with the faithful.

We know the Emmaus story of the spiritual Jesus coming along the road to walk with some distraught follower’s right after his crucifixion. Of course, they do not recognize him at first. And isn’t that so often true for us as well. But, thanks be to God, Jesus is still walking with us today.

As I got to thinking about the hymn, “I want Jesus to walk with me,” it came into my head that not only do I want Jesus to walk with me – through all my joy and sorrow, through all my daily life; I want to walk with Jesus. Think about it! It’s a different concept.

Being in love with God is a mutually rewarding relationship. God’s love surrounds us caring for our daily needs. God is with us always. God loves us no matter what! So it would seem that we need do nothing. We can receive all the benefits of Christian community just by showing up.

But, I don’t think that last statement is true - at least not for me. The truth is we can only receive all the benefits of Christian community as we are willing to give ourselves to full participation in the body of Christ.

So, the more we become aware of God’s absolutely stunning, unbelievable love walking with us through life - the more we want to walk with Jesus in return. We experience the depth of God’s love for us as we give ourselves in love to God’s creation. God serves us, we serve God. It’s a symbiotic relationship.

When this text was written the mission of the seventy, undoubtedly referred to what might be called “traditional” evangelism. You know the kind. You go out and verbally spread the gospel of God’s saving love as known to us in Jesus Christ and invite folks to come on board.

Over the years, however, from generation to generation, concepts of mission have changed. So, having more or less abandoned this traditional expression of mission, how does the church articulate its calling today?

I’m in agreement with R. Alan Culpepper, the author of The Gospel of Luke in the New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary. He states, “In our own time, the challenges of a shrinking world, ease of travel and communication, multiculturalism, and religious pluralism require us to enter into dialogue regarding what we as American Christians have to offer to people of other cultures and faiths.

The development of a world economy and the oppression of “developing countries” require that we include in our awareness of the church’s mission concerns for the end of economic exploitation of other people, alleviation of disease and hunger, and assurance of basic human rights.”

It is not that the traditional gospel mission of the church has become irrelevant or obsolete, but simply that the changing conditions of the communities in which we live are forcing us to rethink the Gospel’s teaching about the mission of those who follow Jesus. We need to find avenues of obedience that are effective and appropriate for our times as well as faithful to Jesus’ teachings.

Jesus commission to the 70 serves as a guide for the new models of mission that each generation requires. It contains 3 basic principles. First, it affirms the world’s need for the church’s mission: “The harvest is plentiful.” There is more work than laborers to do it. Second, Jesus’ commission affirms the importance of prayer in support of the church’s mission: “So on your knees, ask the Lord of the harvest to send harvest hands.” And third, it insists on the active participation of each disciple. “Go on your way.”

The ways of being in mission are as vast as the calling of Jesus on our lives. Some love God by working on a Habitat House. Some love God my leading prayer groups and study groups. Some love God by working in a soup kitchen or a food bank. Some love God by nurturing children in joyful healthy ways.

Some love God by taking responsibility for wrongdoing and living in a new way. Some love God by being available to step in to meet an unexpected need. Some love God by being “big brothers” for persons struggling with addictions. Some love God by traveling to far off lands to touch the lives of people - working with them to improve their lives.

Jesus sent the seventy out on a journey. He gave them a pep talk. Do your best; live simply, move on when the time is right. Don't give up - continue the journey. The scriptures tell us that we need to offer hope.

The journey of faith requires a great deal of us – it is not easy – but it reaps unexpected blessing. Each one of us here is some place on that journey. If you look around you’ll see you are in good company!

God sends us forth to share the message of love, grace and hope in the midst of a hurting world. And the amazing good news in the midst of the journey is that God travels with us and gives us grace sufficient for every need.

As we put forth our best creative effort, despite our human weakness, God works wonders through us.

So, friends, let’s go forth to live through God’s creative love. Heal hurting spirits. Give hope through the work of your hands and your demeanor of loving care. Nothing else is needed because – God’s grace is sufficient. So have no doubt about it!

Jesus walks with us – giving us grace sufficient for the day. It’s a basic spiritual truth! And – he expects us to be part of the seventy. Limited as we are, Jesus sends us!

So… I really do want to walk with Jesus! And my hope and faith says that you do too! Together with God, we can change the world? Life can be radically different! And isn’t that good news?!

Thanks be to God!! Amen.