Thoughts on Missions

As I prepare in a few days to travel again to Haiti to celebrate 25 years of missions there, and as I anticipate the launching of a new phase of missions in that fertile country, I reflect on the words of Jesus in Luke 10 in the sending out of the 72. When we slow down and consider the exact words of Jesus we sometimes get a little different perspective. For instance in petitioning the Lord of the harvest, what exactly are we asking Him to do. I have often thought of asking Him to raise up more laborers for the work of missions, and this is a valid petition. But, is that what Jesus is saying here? It seems to me that Jesus is telling the 72 to pray that God will launch missions, i.e. that God will send the labors into the harvest. This paints a different picture from begging God to raise up more laborers. This says that as a laborer I stand ready to be sent. I only await the word from the Lord of the harvest to tell me to go. Do we? Do we stand ready to go and are simply awaiting His orders?

Another observation is in Luke 10:6 of the person the NASB describes as "a man of peace." The KJV says "son of peace." The phrase is based on a compound word (uihothesia) which means the placing of a son, an adoption or sonship. It is used in Romans 9:4 concerning the Israelites to whom belongs the adoption as sons; Romans 8:15 & 23 & Gal.4:4 & Eph.1:5 for the adoption as sons we all enjoy in Christ. It is as if these 72 are going out looking for those who desire to complete the adoption process and become fully sons of the Father. We seek those who are trying to find where they belong, those who desire to be a part of this forever family, those who are orphans in the world, and find their true home in Jesus. Behind every door is a potential adoptive brother or sister. One way to recognize this person is to see if they seek peace in their hearts, to cease from their restlessness.

Another thing I noticed in this text are the three things these 72 were to do when they found the worthy house in which to stay. They were to 1) eat what was set before them; 2) heal the sick in that home; 3) tell them that the kingdom of God has come near. (Luke 10:8-9) Consider this in regard to missions. Table fellowship is a means by which we identify with those we seek to teach. When I go to Haiti and sit at the table with my guests, I should attempt to eat what is set before me. I will admit there have been some exceptions. But this is a way to show that we are conforming to them and not asking them to conform to us. We show that the gospel does not demand that they change all things culturally relevant to them. Next we show concern for the needs of that home. In this case, the 72 were to care for the sick in that home. Prove to the people in that house that you care about their well-being by beginning with the physical things of this life. And, thirdly we must let those whom we seek to reach realize that since we carry the message of the kingdom that when we come into their house they are being offered a very important opportunity, i.e. to be able to enter the kingdom. If the kingdom were a boat, and this family were drowning in sin, this is their opportunity to be rescued. Who knows if such an opportunity will ever come their way again?

There is much we can learn about missions from these simple instructions that Jesus gave 72 disciples 2000 years ago. The mission has not changed, people have not changed, and the laborers are still needing to be sent.