1610
We could list the blessings we receive as a result of Jesus’ death on the Cross and His resurrection. Forgiveness, salvation, eternal life, adoption as God’s children, the Holy Spirit… There are many aspects. But one of the key ways to describe it is peace. Today, if I suddenly stop talking, you all need to say “peace” because that is the next word. When the angels announced the birth of Jesus they said, “Glory to God in the highest heavens, and on earth peace to those on whom His favour rests” (Lk 2:14). The good news – the birth of the Saviour – is summed up as being about peace.
Acts 10:36
You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
The gospel message is that peace is found “through Jesus Christ”. He, and He alone, is the Prince of Peace (Is 9:6).
Peace has three main dimensions. Firstly, we have peace with God. When our sins are forgiven, we are reunited with God. We have been alienated; we have fought against God, but when we come to faith in Jesus, we are reconciled to God.
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…
Secondly, we have peace with one another. As you know, one of the biggest divisions of New Testament times was the gulf between Jews and gentiles. But listen to what Paul says in Ephesians 2:14-18 about the radical reconciling work God has done. Listen to the emphasis on peace.
Ephesians 2:14-18
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
We are all brothers and sisters in the one family. Old divisions have been obliterated. We have different backgrounds, nationalities, educations, incomes, etc. but we have been united in Jesus.
We do not always live like loving brothers and sister, which is why Paul, also in Ephesians, says, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3).
Thirdly, we can have peace with ourselves – the inner peace of knowing that God loves us and He is in control and we do not have to worry.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of Christ, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
I tried to be clever but discovered I am not. I tried to find words starting with an that illustrated the opposite of these three dimensions of peace. Inner peace - anxiety. Peace with others – anger or antagonistic. But I couldn’t think of one describing the opposite of peace with God. Maybe just anti-God.
Do you have peace with God? Are you at peace with others? Are you at peace in your heart and mind?
Another question; If someone asked you, “What is the gospel?” could you express it, like the Bible does, in terms of the peace?
A third question: can you think of any message more needed in our world right now? We live in an age of huge anxiety. People are stressed. Anxiety is mushrooming among our children as well as adults.
We live in an age of huge division. Polarisation. Anger. Nastiness.
Our society is largely anti-God. Sin is celebrated and legitimised. We are fighting against God.
Luke 10 is not so much about us receiving the peace of God; it is about us proclaiming the peace of God.
This passage has received a lot of attention in recent years. Many people would say this is Jesus’ model for mission - for sharing the gospel. They would say, “Look at what Jesus did. Look at what Jesus taught. He has given specific instruction how to do. He intends us to do it the way He taught us to do it. Let’s do it Jesus’ way.” It raises some challenging questions. Are we doing it Jesus’ way? Are we doing it at all?
Interestingly, the core message is peace. First say, “Peace to this house”.
Even things like “He sent them two by two”. Is that a principle we should adopt? We don’t have time to go into that but it is worth thinking about.
The passage is very much about mission. It is about being sent.
V.1 – He sent them two by two
V.2 – Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out worker
V.3 – Go. I am sending you out
Does it apply to us or was it specifically for these people? We also have been sent.
Matthew - Go and make disciples (Mt 28:19)
Mark - Go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mk 16:15)
Luke - Repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in my name to all nations (24:47)
John - As the Father has sent me, I am sending you (John 20:21)
But Jesus identified a problem: the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Is the harvest plentiful? We might say, “Mission is difficult these days. People are not open. The soil is hard. God is not moving among us as He has among others.” What do you think? Is the harvest plentiful in Mosgiel?
In John 4:35, Jesus said to the disciples, “You say it is four months until harvest. I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” They were both looking at the same harvest. The disciples said it was not ready. Jesus said it was very ready.
It is possible that in an age of anxiety and anger and anti-God-ness, people are desperate for some good news that will bring peace. Maybe the harvest is ripe. Maybe there are thousands of people who would respond to the good news of the Prince of Peace… if there were workers.
It is easy to blame the harvest or blame God. Jesus said the problem is with the harvesters.
“Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers.” Jesus tells us to pray for harvesters. If you are not already, can I suggest you commit to praying regularly for harvesters.
Then Jesus said, ‘I am sending you out like lambs among wolves”. That is really scary. What chance does a lamb have among wolves. The lamb is likely to get ripped to shreds and eaten. No wonder the harvesters are few. Why would anyone in their right mind go? That is one reasons Christians are, by-and-large, not talking about Jesus. Maybe also self-centredness, lack of love for the lost, feeling inadequate.
Jesus is straight-up. There will be opposition. But Christians are to be gentle and gracious, like lambs. Regularly, the Bible says there will be opposition. That is no surprise. But it means there is a real temptation: when Jesus says “Go”, we say “No”. We will stay where it is safe.”
When Jesus says “Go”, are we willing to say yes? Are we willing to go like lambs among wolves? Are we willing to risk our own safety – maybe even risk our own lives? These are hard questions. The early Christians were willing to lay down their lives for the gospel because they believed in heaven. They would trust Jesus and they would go. Some lost their lives but gained heaven.
But look at v.17. The 72 returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submitted to us in your name”. They had experienced the presence and power of God. It was massively exciting. There are things of God that we experience only when we go.
John 16:33
I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Take no purse, bag or sandals is about not trying to provide for our own security but trusting God. Do not greet anyone on the road sounds harsh but it is about not being distracted. We must be focused on the mission. It is urgent. The harvest is ripe.
How were they to go about their mission? What do you actually do? Heal the sick and say, “The Kingdom of God has come near you”. Note both halves of that: works and words. First the works. Care for people. Minister to people. Do not just bombard people with the gospel. Be loving. Meet needs. Be nice. We sometimes have the impression that evangelism must be confrontational but it actually starts with serving and loving and caring. Jesus healed, told stories, befriended, cast out demons. He simply gave to people.
The serving part of Alpha is the meal, the hospitality, the friendliness, the non-condemnatory atmosphere where people can ask questions. Hospitality and respect are aspects of the Kingdom of God. They are not quite as dramatic as healing the sick but they still have power when people say “Wow! Wow, look how they have served us. Look how they have loved us.” Mission starts with serving.
After serving people, Jesus did challenge the crowds to follow Him. Some did, some didn’t. It will be the same for us. Jesus taught these disciples how to handle that. Be discerning. Look for people who will be receptive (people of peace). Where you find receptive people, stay there, invest in those people, eat their food. Eating together meant a lot. Build relationships.
But what about where people are not receptive? Move on! Don’t take it personally. Just recognise the lack of receptivity and move on to people who are more receptive. We fear we have to persuade people, almost force people, into the Kingdom and that does not sit well with us. And sometimes we ought to plead with someone. We are told that at Pentecost, Peter, with many words, pleaded with the crowd to save themselves from that corrupt generation. But, other times, recognise it and move on.
But, it is move on with a warning. Tell them “The Kingdom of God has come near you”. When the disciples healed the sick and cast out demons, people experienced the presence of God. Serving is more than just being nice. This is Kingdom stuff. The Kingdom had been revealed. God had been revealed. That requires a response. The warning is that the Kingdom has come near but they have rejected it.
It is not an angry response to being rejected and a threat if judgement. It is a sorrowful appeal just like Jesus crying over Jerusalem.
Luke 19:41, 44
And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace!... You will be destroyed… because you did not know the time of your visitation.
God had visited. The Kingdom of God had come near. If only they had received their King. Jesus wept.
If I am honest, I am not being effective in mission. I want to say, “Boy, mission is tough these days. Nobody is open to the gospel.” I am tempted to say, “It is the harvest’s fault, not mine!” I am confused about how to be effective in mission in our context. What do I need to understand? Is this passage Jesus’ model for us? If we were to follow this, might we, like these disciples, return with joy, having seen God at work?
Christmas is about the coming of the Prince of Peace. Today, a Saviour has been born, He is Christ, the Lord. Our anxious, angry, anti-God world needs to hear about Jesus.