So, when I was a kid, I wanted to be a scientist. Now I'm sure I didn't now what that meant given that that's such a broad word, but that's what I wanted to be. I was born when President Kennedy was alive, and I was fully on board with every thing “moon landing.” So, science was cool.
But going from kid in Chattanooga to a man remembered in
history was something I never managed to navigate. Mainly because I didn't really have an aptitude for research. What I did have was an
aptitude for math in it's pure form, and I had a love for history and
literature. But those were risky professions.
So, I sort of drifted along for several years, taking safe routes, not knowing what I was really meant to do with my life. All the while, I kept feeling some yearning to do something, if not important, then at least meaningful. And if my name never made it into a book, maybe I'd at least be remembered by one or two people. And that's a good place to be even if I won't be in anyone's book.
I imagine that's how the apostles felt. They were just guys, doing what they do. Four were fishermen. Three others probably were
fishermen. One was a government bureaucrat. One was a politician. One was good with money.
The other two were so milquetoast that we don't really even know what they did. They probably all belonged to the Rotary Club, went to league bowling, grilled out on Memorial and Labor Days. Just guys.
How were they to know?
How were they to know what was about to happen? How were they to know that something – or rather, someone – was about to get under their skin? How were they to know that their lives would change, and what a change it would be.
Evangelists. Today that word is so fraught with baggage because of some many of our Christian brothers and sisters who shout and jump and condemn.
But they really were evangelists. Proclaiming the Gospel, that the kingdom of heaven is near. Actually given the power to heal, to forgive, to confront demons. Such heroism these twelve showed.
But man, oh, man, if they were anything like me, they were
terrified, filled with doubts, constantly thinking that sooner or later
people will get wise and run them out of town on a rail. But something about this man they followed, something about this Jesus, just wouldn't let them go.
Something about this Jesus gave them what they needed to do the kind of work that people so often hope someone else will do.
Y'all it's not easy to do what Jesus is asking the apostles – and us – to do. It really isn't. It's not easy standing up every Sunday and acting like you have something important to say, something inspired.
It's not easy watching people yawn!
But it's also not easy trying to comfort people who think they'll never experience comfort again. It's not easy screwing up the courage to tell people about your faith and why it's important. It's not easy getting out of your comfort zone and going out into the world to struggle against injustice, even when you think it doesn't directly affect you.
It's not easy standing with others who have had other experiences and being stalwart, even when others mock and threaten you both.
It's not easy sometimes living what you say you believe. Sometimes it's not even easy believing what you say you believe.
And it's sure not easy doing this when Jesus gives us what is most likely the worst pep talk in the history of the world:
“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles . . . Brother will betray brother to death, and a
father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name.”
But Jesus also sneaks something in to the middle of all that: “When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
Jesus will be there. Jesus will be there when we fight for what we know is right and against what we know is wrong. Jesus will be there when we join with others to right wrongs no matter how other people stand against us.
Jesus will be there when voices that are more powerful than our use that power to divide and deflect and mislead. Jesus will be there when it looks like we aren't making progress, saying, “Shake the dust off your sandals and keep going. Always keep going.”
Jesus will be there.
But it won't be easy. And if you think being a Christian is
supposed to be easy, you're doing it wrong.
I mean look at the apostles. After all the work they did, one killed himself out of shame, and almost all of the others suffered some sort of martyrdom – crucifixion, boiling, beheading, sawing, spearing, stoning. Only one we think died of old age (the government bureaucrat!).
That's probably not the most encouraging track record, I'll admit. But they actually died for something. And more importantly, they tried to live for something.
We are apostles today. We have work to do. We are
commissioned. It's not the time to sit back. And, here's a secret: we probably won't be killed because of our faith.
And you know what else? Those people that yawn when you preach? They probably are tired from worrying over something all night long.
Those people you comforted? They will remember you for a
lifetime.
Those people you talk to you about your faith? They may ask to know more.
Getting out of your comfort zone? You might learn more about yourself than you ever imagined.
Standing with others? You will be standing with Christ.
And like the apostles, we might, just might, be remembered as
having loved God and our neighbor. Like the apostles, we might even make it into a book!
Amen.