God Has Big Plans
There’s no doubt about it – God has big plans for the people that God so dearly loves; for the people who listen to God’s voice and keep God’s covenant.
In the reading from Exodus, we hear God speaking to Moses, telling Moses of the plans God has for the Israelites whom Moses had only recently led out of Egypt (from bondage into freedom) – you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.
This is God’s big plan for God’s people as they gathered before God in the wilderness of Sinai. And together the people responded Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do. They were willing to be set apart as a holy nation; willing to act as a priestly kingdom, to strengthen the relationship between God and God’s people, and to bring God’s blessings into all the world through them. They were eager to follow God’s word; to keep God’s commands; to live as God’s people. Indeed, this was the moment when all the people declared their willingness to live in a new way, obedient to the work God has given them to do, proclaiming God’s steadfast love and mercy for the sake of the world.
It would not be easy. The people ended up wandering through the wilderness for 40 years because of their disobedience. Sometimes they listened to the word God spoke to them through Moses and sometimes they did not. They grew tired and weary of wandering in the wilderness. They followed, as best they could, the path that God set before them though every once in a while they went off on their own way; refusing to listen, neglecting to follow, going astray from where God wanted them to go.
God loved them anyway. God welcomed them back, every time they turned from their own ways; every time they returned to following God (repented). Remember – God had a plan for them – you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.
God has big plans for the people who follow Jesus, people whom God so dearly loves. The words God spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai echo in these words written in the 1st letter of the apostle Peter: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of (the One) who called you out of darkness into (their) marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
The gospel (that is, the good news) of Jesus Christ is the ongoing story of God forming God’s people into a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who came that all may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10).
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus sends 12 of his disciples out into the world, giving them authority to do what he has been teaching them to do through his words and by his example – …proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick; raise the dead; cleanse those with a skin disease; cast out demons.
Jesus sends these disciples out to share God’s love with all the people they meet and to gather people back to God.
Jesus sends these disciples out to preach the good news that God desires to be in right relationship with all people.
Jesus sends these disciples out to offer grace and mercy and truth to a broken and hurting world.
Jesus sends these disciples out to show the world there is a different way to live – a way of love and justice and equity and abundance and wholeness and healing (shalom; the peace that passes our understanding).
Jesus told his disciples it will not be easy. Not everyone will listen. Not everyone will be willing to change. Not everyone will be willing to follow Jesus. Those in power will not give up their power or greed or desire for wealth or the status quo. The empire will fight back – with lies and acts of violence and oppression. Speaking God’s truth to power comes at a cost. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. This is the promise Jesus makes with those who follow him. Trust in that promise.
God has big plans for the people of Holy Trinity, people whom God so dearly loves.
Today Jesus is sending you out into the world. Jesus is giving you authority to do what he has been teaching you to do through his words and by his example – to teach and proclaim the good news; to cure every disease and sickness; to share God’s love and to show the world there is a different way to live.
As God’s people gathered before God in this place known as Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, this sending out is reflected in your purpose statement, which you discerned over many months of listening to the Holy Spirit and to each other:
God calls us to follow the example of Jesus, acting boldly
to build community with diverse people and to nurture creation.
It will not be easy for you. Not everyone will listen – to God’s word or to each other. Not everyone will be willing to change. Not everyone will be willing to live in a new way. Not everyone will be willing to follow the example of Jesus. Those in power will not give up their power. You will grow tired and weary of wandering in the wilderness. You’ll go off on your own way, going astray from where the Holy Spirit is leading you.
The good news for today is that God loves you anyway. God welcomes you back, every time you go astray. God continues to speak to you through the strong words of Jesus and nourishes you with Christ’s own body and blood. God’s love continues to be poured into your hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Breath of Life, given to you in baptism. God gives you daily bread, strength and endurance for the journey.
As Jesus sends you out from this place to go into the world to do his work…remember…
Remember you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of (the One) who called you out of darkness into (their) marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
Remember that God’s steadfast love is everlasting and God’s faithfulness endures from age to age (Psalm 100:5).
Remember your baptism. Continue in the covenant God made with you when you were baptized:
- to live among God’s faithful people,
- to hear (listen to) the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper (eat at the table),
- to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,
- to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,
- and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth
Remember God is calling you to follow the example of Jesus and to act boldly.
Remember that the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Remember that God has big plans for you, the people of Holy Trinity, whom God so dearly loves.
May you go out in God’s peace and with God’s richest blessings upon you.