Luke 10:1-24 NIV
Jesus had appointed seventy-two others and sent them out two by two to go ahead of him to the various towns. The harvest, he said, was plentiful but the workers are few. (vs 1-2) Their goal, it appears, is to be gathering the people for the Kingdom.
In this country, as well as many others, the church appears to be in decline. This can be attributed to many factors, including a lack of faith. Faith will inspire us to walk miles to do what it is that we believe we are called to do. Yet, multitudes in congregations around the globe do not feel that they are called to share the Good News with anyone. It is a private matter, I hear. Are our neighbors not worth saving. How can they be saved unless they believe? How can they believe unless they hear? Who will go and tell? Who will participate in the harvesting?
Pastors sometimes become chaplains to their little flocks. They focus only on their little flock; neglecting the needs of the people who are outside the sheepfold. They neglect the telling of the story to; except to the little flock that gathers on Sunday mornings (sometimes they neglect to even tell them). Not going outside of the circle (or box) and sharing the peace, sharing the story of what God has done for us is devastating to the visible church. Without the story of Jesus' great love for all people; what is left? Not much; except for maybe a museum to the traditions of the generations that have lived here before us. Without Jesus, there is nothing.
So, let us all go and share the peace of God; share the story of His great love for us through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
God's Peace - Pr. J
Jesus had appointed seventy-two others and sent them out two by two to go ahead of him to the various towns. The harvest, he said, was plentiful but the workers are few. (vs 1-2) Their goal, it appears, is to be gathering the people for the Kingdom.
In this country, as well as many others, the church appears to be in decline. This can be attributed to many factors, including a lack of faith. Faith will inspire us to walk miles to do what it is that we believe we are called to do. Yet, multitudes in congregations around the globe do not feel that they are called to share the Good News with anyone. It is a private matter, I hear. Are our neighbors not worth saving. How can they be saved unless they believe? How can they believe unless they hear? Who will go and tell? Who will participate in the harvesting?
Pastors sometimes become chaplains to their little flocks. They focus only on their little flock; neglecting the needs of the people who are outside the sheepfold. They neglect the telling of the story to; except to the little flock that gathers on Sunday mornings (sometimes they neglect to even tell them). Not going outside of the circle (or box) and sharing the peace, sharing the story of what God has done for us is devastating to the visible church. Without the story of Jesus' great love for all people; what is left? Not much; except for maybe a museum to the traditions of the generations that have lived here before us. Without Jesus, there is nothing.
So, let us all go and share the peace of God; share the story of His great love for us through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
God's Peace - Pr. J
No comments:
Post a Comment