There’s no place for complacency

Yesterday, we looked at how Jesus prepared his followers for what was to come: his impending death and glorious resurrection.

They weren’t ready to contemplate losing him. They had no idea what life would like without him in it. What would they do? What would they say? How would they be able to follow him if he wasn’t there any more?

Jesus talked to them about a time when he would come back to them in glory. But in the mean time, what were they supposed to be doing? Throughout his ministry, Jesus had been mentoring his followers so that they would better cope when he was not there. They learned from him by observing all that he was doing and listening to all that he was saying. And then when they were ready, he sent them out in the power of his name to do the same.

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

‘As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.  Matthew 10:1, 7-8 (also found in Mark 6 and Luke 9)

His followers had received Jesus’ light and truth in their own lives; now it was their turn and responsibility to share that with others. It’s the same with us. It’s not enough to keep receiving. Whatever we have received, we have to share.

Wisdom…enlightenment…love…encouragement…compassion…hope….justice…mercy…forgiveness…joy…we’ve been given all this to share.

And this calling was not just for the chosen few. In Luke 10, Jesus sent out 72 others to spread the good news. You don’t have to have special training or a special role to talk to people about the transformation Jesus has brought about in your life. We can all play our part in sharing the greatest news ever told about a kingdom that is for all and better than any of us could ever imagine.

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”  Luke 10:1-4, 8-9

There are so many people out there with so many needs. That’s no different to what Jesus observed as he looked around him.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36

Sitting back and saying ‘I’m all right, Jack’ is not an option. We cannot get away with turning a blind eye to what is going on around us. There’s no place for complacency. We must never lose touch with compassion. We can’t just sit back and let others deal with it. We all have a part to play. Whatever the skills God has given us, He’s given them to us for a reason. We’re a part of this great story.

Go! I am sending you!

Being a Christian is never about praying the right prayer and then sitting back and waiting to be welcomed with open arms into heaven. There’s far more to it than that. Life on earth is not about waiting for heaven; it’s about doing all that we can to bring heaven to earth, right here, right now.

It’s about being prepared, so that when Jesus does return to bring in this fabulous upside-down kingdom in all its glory, he’ll find us ready, already working on the reality of putting ‘Your kingdom come, your will be done’ into practice.

Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.

You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.Luke 12:35-37, 40

Of course, we have to be sensible. We have to know when it’s time to rest. We have to take care of ourselves if we are going to be able to take care of others. But this is no easy ride. Creating glimpses and corners of heaven on earth takes work. Living with kingdom values takes work. Treating others as we would want to be treated takes work.

But it’s worth it, isn’t it? I believe wholeheartedly that it is! It’s what life is all about.

I want Jesus to find me hard at work – his work. I want to be considered a faithful servant – getting on with the task that I’ve been given to do.

Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning.

Give me oil in my lamp, I pray.

Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning.

Keep me burning til the break of day.