THE HARVEST IS GREAT BUT THE LABORERS ARE FEW: THE MISSION OF JESUS IN LUKE 10.1-12

• In the past, the church used to think that mission fields are remote and primitive places owned by 'uncivilized' people or the savages. In that context, to do mission is understood as to sending missionaries to those strange places on earth. Today, church views mission differently. Mission fields can defined as a work place in a developed, industrious, rich, glamor city of New York or as a study place in the excellent sacred environment of the academia such as Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard. We can do mission everywhere. Wherever we are we are in the mission field. Whatever our definition of mission is, the keyword (and the key verb) of our passage (Luke 10.1-12) is definitely 'SENDING.' Please bear with me for some surprising insights and observations from the narrative.

• (1) Jesus sent the seventy (or seventy two) disciples of him to cities and places that Jesus himself was about to go (v.1). As followers or disciples of Jesus, we need to have a strong sense that we are sent by God to accomplish particular tasks in specific places. Though we are not apostles in the sense of Paul, Peter, James or John, we actually are modern apostles of God. God sends us as his missionaries to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom on earth.

• (2) The seventy (or the seventy two) disciples were sent to places that Jesus was about to go (v.1). The awareness of being a missionary of God is important, but the knowledge of where God wants us to be is another equally important element. Do not be in the wrong place! Do not do the wrong thing! Churches need to be in the same season in which God is there. Luke 10.1 is a very strong verse which encourages us to do what God is doing in this era; to stay in a place where God's presence is there; and to go out according to the leading of the Spirit of God. If those three characteristics are in us, we are truly the missionaries of God.

• (3) The harvest is truly great, but the laborers are few (v.2). Believers often view mission work with a heavy heart. We tend to view mission fields as scary places and mission works as the last option to be chosen where there is no better position. Jesus, on the other hand, viewed mission from different point of view. For Jesus, the best word to illustrate what he meant by 'mission' is 'harvest.' Harvest is a positive agricultural term, signifying fullness, happiness and success. It is the end of season when all the hard works are repaid. Farmers look forward for harvest excitedly. Do we own Jesus' lens in viewing the works of mission? Are we looking forward to be involved in mission ministries with great excitement? Jesus was so excited for mission - Are we? Are we in the same season in which Jesus is now authoritatively dwelling and actively moving? Or are we somewhere else?

• (4) You are sent out as lambs among wolves (v.3). A lamb is a popular biblical imagery. Jesus himself is called the lamb of God. A lamb is often used to show meekness and complete obedience. A lamb however is also an image of slowness, weakness and vulnerability. Wolves on the other hand are fierce, always starving for prey, and ready to kill the lambs. That was exactly the mission destination of the seventy (or seventy two). Mission fields are places full of risk. Mission works are full of risk fulfilling God's mandate activities. Though we are invited to harvest with spirit of excitement, there is no promise that we are free from danger. In business terminology, risk is defined as challenges we actively and consciously take for bigger profit. Risks thus add meaning and value to our ordinary lives. Extraordinary people are risk taker ordinary people. Extraordinary missionaries of God are risk taker believers. Seeking comfortable life is the opposite of fulfilling the mission of God. Mission is not concerned so much with the safety of the missionaries, it is concerned more on the salvation of those whom the missionaries are going to serve. Difficulties and challenges in proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom are not unnatural; Go your way! (v.3).

• (5) Carry no money bag, knapsack and sandals; greet no one along the road (v.4). We all know mission needs a lot of money and resources. Fund raising for mission is today every where on earth. Jesus however did not allow the disciples to bring money, food and other basic needs. The disciples were even not allowed to ask people for help ('greet no one' in the sense of expecting supports from others). Speaking of financial issue, there are two different kinds of missionaries. One is resourceful, the other is resource less. Jesus' mission was without any doubt adopting the later. Mission works promises no (financial) security. Do remember that money does not send us, but God does! The availability of (financial) resources neither justify nor validate our mission. While doing fund raising is not wrong, Jesus did not view money as the (core) requirement of going out for mission.

• (6) I think there are good reasons to say that Jesus wanted to teach the disciples to completely depend on Him rather on their own resources or strength. In the mission of Jesus (read v.2: God's harvest), the owner of the business is God. The harvest belongs to God. Therefore, strength and resources should also come from God alone. When God is not the sole resource in our mission activities, we are in the danger of being trapped of building our own kingdom.

• (7a) We are responsible to deliver shallom (peace; vv.4-7). Though the proclamation of the Gospel sharply confronts individuals, we need to be aware of two truths. First, the result of Gospel confrontation should be a new state of being peace with God. As Paul argued in Romans 5.1-11, we who were once enemies of God are now reconciled with God. Second, the methodology of proclaiming the Gospel should not provoke confrontation and conflict both on personal and community basis. Proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom should be done peacefully in a friendly environment, and with a humble and sincere spirit. We are not called to change others' belief. We are responsible only to share the good news of Jesus Christ, who is the Prince of Peace (Is 9.6).

• (7b) We are responsible to proclaim the Kingdom of God (vv.8-12). The 'Kingdom of God' is not an abstract and neutral noun. We are called to proclaim the Kingdom with urgency because it is here and near. There is an indication that in Jesus' mind there were many Jewish fellows who were not aware of the fact that the Kingdom have been inaugurated through him. Some others were perhaps intentionally refusing the coming of the Kingdom by their negative attitudes towards Jesus and his disciples (vv.10-12). Our task in proclaiming the Kingdom should convey the imminent element of the Kingdom. Proclaiming the Kingdom is proclaiming the absolute reign of Jesus on earth. The Kingdom of God requires none others but immediate responses of trust and obedience by welcoming Jesus in one's life.

• (7c) We are responsible to deliver the ministry of healing (v.9). The command to heal those who are sick should be understood literally. The power behind this healing ministry is indeed a realization of the authority of the imminent Kingdom of God inaugurated in and through Jesus. The healing is important, but the proclamation of the powerful author behind the healing is far more important. Sickness in the Gospels however should not be limited only on physical weaknesses (cf. Lk 5.31-32). Without underestimating the pain of physical suffering, more and more people are indeed in need of spiritual, emotional and social healing. As God's ambassadors, we are called to deliver healing ministry, by strengthening the weak, healing the sick, restoring broken relationship, and comforting those who are in sorrow.

• Some reflective questions for us to answer: (1) Who do we think we are? Are we missionaries of God?; (2) Where are we now? Are we now in our God's designated mission field?; (3) Are we so excited for being men and women of purpose in God's mission enterprise? (4) Are we desiring comfy life or are we fulfilling a full of risk missio Dei?; (5) Do we do what we do on the foundation of financial (resources) availability? Or do we do what we do because of our obedience to God's calling?; (6) Who is the ultimate source of our ministry? Who is the true hero in the Kingdom of God? Non-Nobis; (7) Are we aware of our roles as the ambassadors of God? Do we realize that our universe is desperately yearning for peace, healing, and the just and righteous Kingdom of God?