Devotion - Monday, November 14

Once Jesus has called his disciples, and spent some time with them, he sends them out into the world. He instructs them to preach as they go; heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. (Matthew 10:5ff) From this, we might come to understand that the prime activity of Jesus' followers is to be out there, somewhere, telling others.

Why has this changed so much?

I was with a wonderful group of individuals last night. Among them were parents of one of our current students; among them were parents of an individual I hope will choose to come to Clemson in 2013. I spoke to these parents of our efforts to welcome students and encourage them to become involved in the worship life at University Lutheran and the programs of Lutheran Campus Ministry-Clemson. I stumbled back over that conversation this morning, as I turned to the bookmark in my bible and read the appointed Gospel lesson. Jesus sent the disciples out; we are stopping short of his expectations when all we do is welcome them in.

Perhaps it has to do with the suggestion (suggestion - not fact) that we live in a "Christian Nation." The assumption is that everyone has heard the story and everyone has had at least a dozen invitations to learn all they want to know about God's grace. Perhaps.

Maybe it has to do with our nervousness. We are fearful that someone will ask us a question or challenge our comments and we won't know how to respond. Maybe.

Unfortunately, the result remains unchanged. We may be very involved in the community which bears the name of Jesus, but choose to remain comfortable inside that community, rather than reach out to others.

After looking inward for a long period of time we may even forget the call to look outward.

Jesus sends his disciples out. They are told to "go." They are discouraged from making a lot of preparations. Just go, and see what happens.

I leave those same instructions with you. "Go." You don't need to have all the answers - it fact it is more helpful when you do not. You need not have a reply for every possible response, you only need one replay. What I find most truthful and most helpful is merely to say, "I have peace and a contentment in my life."

Go.