In the Name of Jesus
Elaine Poproski Download: Audio
Sunday Reflection
Read Heather Weir’s reflection on this sermon called, “The Good News of God’s Kingdom” on the Sunday Reflections’ blog.
Sunday Scripture Reading: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 (NRSV)
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. Read more…
Looking to Sunday: Preparing to Hear from God
by Elaine Poproski
In grade 7 at my school growing up, we had our first instrumental music class. We were allowed to choose to learn any instrument the school had on hand. I chose the French Horn and I played that instrument all the way through to the end of high school, by which time I was a reasonably proficient musician. I still love the mellow tones of the French Horn. My ears pick it out of the symphony of brass whenever I listen to classical music. When I started playing the French Horn, though, it’s accurate to say that the sounds I produced were far less pleasing to the ear. I’d describe those sounds as that of a sick elephant giving voice to her pain. Thankfully, God gives Jr. High music teachers a unique skill set that keeps them from running from a room full of 12 year old musicians and their various squeaks, moans, and general alien cacophony. As I practiced my instrument and learned from my teachers, the haunting tones of pachyderm discontent slowly evolved into the smooth sounds the French Horn was crafted to create.
Whenever we’re learning something new, there’s always a need for hands-on experience. Theory and method are certainly helpful, but I think the best learning happens when we’re permitted to try in real time the thing we’re learning. If all I’d ever done was read books and listen to teachers tell me how to play the French Horn, I’d never have progressed beyond the sick elephant stage. To this day I’m so thankful for music teachers who dare to teach a classroom full of kids to make music.
This is how Jesus taught. Day after day He allowed His disciples to travel with Him, to watch Him interact with people, to hear the stories He told. And then He sent them out to try what He’d been teaching them. He sent them out two-by-two, without Him, to spread the news that through Jesus the Kingdom of God has come near. I imagine it was a bit terrifying for some of them. I imagine it was intimidating. I imagine some of them wondered how they would be received, given that they weren’t exactly like Jesus – able to do the kinds of miracles He’d done. When Jesus sent them out, He warned them that they wouldn’t be welcomed by everyone. But when they returned, it seems that the stories they returned with were overwhelmingly positive. And miraculous. I think this kind of teaching, where Jesus sent them out to try what they’d been learning, but also had them return to debrief and learn some more before they went out again, is the reason the disciples were able to spread the Gospel message as far and wide as they did in the days and years after Pentecost.
On Sunday we’re going to be launching a new series titled, “In the Name of Jesus.” It’s a series of sermons that takes seriously Jesus’ words from Luke 10:19 in which He said, “See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you.” He spoke those words in the context of sending His disciples out into the world on their first trial run. You can find the whole story in Luke 10:1–24.
As you prepare for Sunday, it may be helpful to take some time to reflect on your own learning as a disciple of Jesus. How comfortable are you with your call to follow Jesus publicly, to share the good news of God’s Kingdom, or to be Jesus wherever you find yourself day by day? Are there things you still need to learn? If so, what do you need to do to learn those things? Are you at the point of trying out what you’ve learned? What’s stopping you? With whom are you sharing your stories of trying? As you prepare for Sunday, I would like to suggest that you spend some time asking God what’s next for your learning as a disciple of Jesus.