July 8, 2007
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The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church Pr. Per Inge Vik
Walking With A Rope I have a little back sack that I use when I am biking. On it is written ”2469 moh”. And there is a simple sketch of Galdhøpiggen, the highest mountain top in Norway. The back sack reminds me about once Karin and I were in a group of hikers going to climb Galdhøpiggen. It is 2469 meters above sea level. As we were going up there, we had to be walking with a rope. That was an interesting experience, that we shared with about 30 other mountain hikers, old and young, of both genders. The instructor taught us to fasten the rope high, just under the arms. Further that we had to keep the rope quite tight both in front of and behind us. So if anybody fell into a glacier’s crack, he wouldn’t fall so far. To go by a rope brings safety when moving in dangerous mountain terrain. A glacier’s crack can be covered by just a thin coat of snow, but under it there can be a precipice. The principle of walking with a rope is that if one person happens to fall through, the others will pull him up. In fact there was a woman that slid, so we could see how the rope functioned. Before our group of hikers were descended, 4 persons that had gone up on their own approached us. They asked if they could join us for the return. Then the leader extended the rope, made new nooses, and let them join our group. I reflected a little bit afterwards. I imagine that to be a church, is like walking with a rope. We are called into a fellowship. In holy baptism, we became part of a hiker’s group, and there is a guide with us through life. In this fellowship, safety is prevailing. If some-one should fall, there are others to lift him up again! In Norway this Sunday, the 6th after Pentecost is called The Apostle’s Day. Jesus said: The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Jesus appointed his witnesses to proclaim the gospel about the approaching Kingdom of God. They were to do good deeds in Jesus’ name. They were to go into the houses sharing the peace greeting in Jesus’ name. And if anyone is there who shares in peace, Jesus said, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. So the words he gave them, were really powerful! The disciples came back excited , telling that even the demons had to submit in Jesus’ name. And he gave them a wider perspective by asking them to rejoice more because their names were written in heaven than for what they themselves had accomplished. Imagine that through these simple witnesses, the church of Jesus Christ was founded. By recruiting ordinary human beings. Jesus gave them instructions and confidence. So through their ministry the church grew forth. Because they didn’t do their own busi-ness, but that of Jesus. Because they spoke in Jesus’ name. So what does this ”in Jesus’ name” mean? Later, in Acts of the Apostles, ”Jesus’ name” is understood as a manifestation of his presence and his power. Powerful also after his ascension. We see it as Peter and John are healing the lame beggar at the temple court (Acts 3:6), in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk. And he does according to their command. In chapter 5 (v.40) it is told that The Sanhedrin had them flogged and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus. That says quite a bit, as even those who didn’t want to believe in our Master, knew what power his name meant. And this power has spread to more and more tribes by the witnessing and the good deeds done in his name. We heard in the text for today that Jesus chose 70 disciples whom he sent in pairs to witness about the kingdom of God. Let us focus for a moment on this number, for it is not only random information. A strange thing here is that in the new Norwegian translation the number is 72, but in the old, as in the English, 70 is the number. As we know, after Luke wrote down his gospel, it was copied by handwriting the following hundreds of years. The oldest hand writings of the NT diverge, so both the numbers exist, 70 and 72. So we do not know exactly how many disciples Jesus sent this day. The difference is neither big nor important. But the background and the deeper meaning is important. Then we have to go to Gen chapter 10. There we find a listing of tribes and language groups that are descended from Noah and his three sons after the big flood. That means all the tribes on the earth. In the Hebrew original text there are 70 names mentioned, but in the very well spread old Greek translation, Septuaginta, 72 are listed. So even if there is a little difference between the numbers, the sending of these disciples symbolizes that the gospel should be proclaimed in all languages and to all the tribes on earth. To Luke, the only non-Jew of all the Biblical authors, this is a significant question. The gospel is for all tribes! Today we know that there are more than 6000 languages in the world. Those who are into Bible translations to new languages know that the time is approaching when all people have got either the whole Bible or parts of it in a language that they can understand. The next thing about the sending that is worthwhile to notice, is that Jesus sent his witnesses in pairs. No one was supposed to be alone. In the Acts of the Apostles we see that this practice continued. Peter and John were sent together to Samaria (Acts 8,16). In Antioch Paul and Barnabas were appointed to perform the first mission travel (Acts 13,1). At the second mission travel, Paul brought Silas with him (Acts 15,40). The ministry in the Kingdom of God is never meant to be solo work. As Jesus’ witnesses we are called into a fellowship. I strongly believe in cooperation, common prayer and intercession in the church. That we need each other. Read the letters in NT and notice how often one another comes. I strongly recommend every Christian to take part in a Bible study, a discussion group or having prayer fellowship with at least one Christian brother or sister. Together with other believers it is much easier for us to give the Lord the reins of our lives. Then we are back to walking with ropes. Are we, as a congregation, such a fellowship, caring for each other? Lifting up again the one that falls, encouraging each other instead of pulling others down, judging and condemning? We heard a glaring example of that in the text for last Sunday, where two of Jesus’ disciples wanted to let fire and sulphur from heaven fall over Samaritan villages that didn’t welcome Jesus and those who followed him. But Jesus refused straightforward! Just as important as caring for each other, is making room for newcomers that want to be part of the rope group. People that so far have not found a good grasping point in life. Let us make room for them! Sharing the tasks in the congregation with them and caring for them. Showing them the inclusion and generosity that Jesus has shown us. Glory be to the Father.. |
The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church · 924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 · (612)874-0716 |