Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

 

Jesus chose sinners. We really don’t know why. It’s a mystery to us why he would have sinful men be responsible for a message so grand. After all, sinners mess things up, do the wrong things, say the wrong words. It’s all in the name. It seems much more logical to have someone more fit for the job be the one to do it. But no. Jesus chose sinners.

 

In our Gospel lesson this week, this is the astonishing thing we read. Jesus chose sinners, seventy-two of them to go out and proclaim his message. These seventy-two men were sent ahead of Jesus “into every town and place where he himself was about to go,” Luke 10:1. Before they went, Jesus warned them of the harsh world into which they were going. “Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves,” Luke 10:3. Their task wasn’t an easy one. It was actually rather treacherous. They would face rejection by the people, persecution by the government, and every temptation of the devil. In short, the world would be against them.

 

For as wonderful it was to have these seventy-two men sent out, it still wasn’t enough. There weren’t enough laborers for the harvest at hand. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest,” Luke 10:2. This was no ordinary harvest; it was the Lord’s harvest. He wants to reap saints for his kingdom, yet to do so, he needs workers. He needs laborers to bring in the harvest.

 

Without laborers, there was no guarantee of finding a tilled field, a strong crop, a rich harvest. Indeed, in Jesus’ day, laborers were required if a farmer was to receive ANY harvest. For the fact that we are sinners really says it all. We haven’t done the right things; we haven’t said the right words; we haven’t been the strong crop or rich harvest for the Lord. Pastors and people are no different in this category. We’re all sinners.

 

Yet, this is why it’s so amazing that… Jesus chose sinners. Jesus chose sinners to preach his word, saying, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ Luke 10:9. These seventy-two men went out, bringing peace and healing to the distressed. For these are the men Jesus chose to say… Jesus chose sinners. Jesus chose sinners to dwell with them, to bring them near that his kingdom may come to them. Jesus chose sinners to die for on the cross that he may forgive their sins and make them a rich harvest of saints! So pray. Pray to the Lord of the harvest that he may send out more laborers… even sinners… to declare to you the mercy and grace won for you in Christ! For when he does, when he sends you a laborer, that is a pastor, may we “rejoice that your names are written in heaven,” Luke 10:20.

 

Pastor Sorenson

 

Prayer:

Almighty God, You have built Your Church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. Continue to send Your messengers to preserve Your people in true peace that, by the preaching of Your Word, Your Church may be kept free from all harm and danger; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!