Go to the Lost Sheep

Genesis 25:19-34; Romans 5:6-11; Matthew 9:35-10:8

The story of Jacob and Esau is one of those stories in the Bible which has been used for almost twenty centuries to justify the hostility which has existed between the people of Israel and the non-Jewish people living in Palestine. Ever since the time when Abraham first set foot into the area which would become known as Palestine, there has been animosity between Israelis and Palestinians. And what better way to explain why this is so than to do it with a story? For stories have power. Indeed, some of the most simple stories can make the truth come alive.

I am reminded of some of America's great story tellers. Take Mark Twain, for example. He was able to tell his simple stories in such a way that moral lessons were taught to persons without their even being aware of it. Or take the simple story of Uncle Tom's Cabin written before the Civil War: It was such a powerful story that many persons who read the story became convinced to become abolitionists. Or take the wonderful stories told by Garrison Kieller: I think that the stories he tells are probably more powerful than most of us may know. For simple stories help us to make sense of things that don't always make sense. Or at least they give us cause to either accept or reject the things that are around us.

The story of Jacob and Esau is one of these kind of stories. As most of us remember from hearing the scripture lesson, it is the story of twin brothers, one of them ruddy in his complexion and spent his time out in the wilderness, and the other who was more sophisticated and civilized. Now, you can imagine, already, that this is how the Jewish people have always looked at themselves in relation to their fellow semites -- the Palestinians. For the Jewish people, the descendants of Jacob, have always thought of themselves as being the more sophisticated and civilized, while the Palestinians, the supposed descendants of Esau, have always been thought to be the nomadic types. And the story of Jacob and Esau even makes Esau look pretty stupid. For who but a dunderhead would sell his birthright for a bowl of soup? Indeed, as far as the Jewish people were concerned, this story of Jacob and Esau told it all. For in their minds it was plain to see that anyone who had a dunderhead like Esau as a forefather deserved to be in a subservient position. And, so, with this powerful story, almost as a weapon, for over 3,000 years, until this very day, the Jewish people have basically felt no qualms or guilt about treating the Palestinians like dirt.

Indeed, stories can be powerful things. And, our gospel lesson for today is a story which counters this story of Jacob and Esau. For, as Jesus came onto the scene, he saw the division and the pain and the hurt, and it moved him deeply. And, so, one of the most important things he did in his ministry was to preach that the most basic element of being one of his followers was the element of love. No more would it be acceptable for persons to find reasons to hate other people. No more would it be right for God's people to condemn and banish the sinner with no attempt to save and redeem and bring back the lost sheep into the fold. And it was with this in mind that Jesus sent out his disciples, telling them to "go to the lost sheep of Israel."

Now, as we look at this story we may wonder why Jesus didn't tell his disciples to go to the Samaritans and to the non-Jewish people living in the area, as well. And perhaps the reason for this is that such a mission would have been too easy. For, sometimes what is hardest to do is to reach out to those who are the closest with the message of reconciliation. And often, what is hardest to do must be done first. Jesus sent his disciples to deliver God's message at home, before they went anywhere else. For it would be in the opening of these people's hearts that they, in turn, would, as one faithful army, be able to spread the gospel of God's love to the rest of the world.

And in many ways, I believe that this story should affect us in such a way that we might ask, "Is there anyone nearby, is there someone in my family, is there someone next door or down the street or at work, who hasn't yet heard the good news of Jesus Christ?

For many of us it may be hard to believe that there could possibly be anyone who hasn't heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. But there is certainly a difference between hearing words with the ears and hearing them with the heart. In fact, with all the noise going on in our world today, it is very easy to hear without listening. So, while most persons have had the gospel of Jesus Christ preached within their hearing, considerably fewer have actually heard that word and allowed it to speak to their heart. And even fewer have actually yielded to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

In sending out his disciples, Jesus told them, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." What this meant was that there were many persons who might be open to hearing the word of God preached to them but because there weren't enough workers many of them might not be reached.

This is true, today, as well. There are many persons outside these doors who thirst for the waters of life that only Jesus can give. But, we are the workers who must lead those persons to Christ.

There is the story of a doctor in one of China's hospitals who cured a man of cataracts. A few weeks later 48 blind men came to the doctor from one of China's remote cities, all holding on to a rope guided by the man who had been cured. He had led them in this way, walking in chain 250 miles to the hospital. The multitudes may appear indifferent to their condition, but let not this discourage us, for many are fumbling blindly after light. It is our happy mission to tenderly and tirelessly seek them out.

And we don't have to be eloquent speakers to do it. Often times, sharing Jesus may mean making a simple observation. There is a the story of medical missionary who was leaving by ship for a foreign field. One of his friends, a good Christian man, came to the pier to bid farewell to his friend, only to discover that the doctor was to be accompanied by his sister.

Turning to the doctor's sister, he said, "My dear, I don't believe I've ever had the privilege of making your acquaintance. I'm pleased that you are going as your brother's assistant, and I'd like to remember you in my prayers. What is your first name?"

"Christine," was the reply.

"I like that!" answered the friend, "for you have Christ in your name. I trust you also have Him in your heart!"

The woman looked away and was silent for a moment. Before she could think of an answer, the last call to board the ocean liner was given. Convicted by the man's simple words, she began to think about her relationship to the Lord. Although she went to church regularly, she suddenly realized that she was not truly saved and had never actually become a "new creature" in Christ. That night she knelt and asked the Savior to pardon her sins and make her his child.

Indeed, the harvest is great, but the workers are few. That is why we who are the workers must do our work with cleverness. Dr. Howard A. Kelly was in the habit of wearing a button with a question mark on it. He bought them and gave them out by the hundreds. He used the button as a springboard for a conversation on Christ. Strangers would ask, "What does that question mark mean, Dr. Kelly?" And the doctor would reply by asking, "What is the greatest thing in the world?" Knowing that they are speaking to a physician, some people would reply, "Health is the greatest thing." Others in answer to the inquiry might say, "Money."

But the doctor would then respond by saying, "No, the biggest question in the world is: 'What think ye of Christ?'" Then he would proceed to say a few words for Jesus, the Great Physician. Busy with carrying the burdens of his patients in the hospital, busy with his cares as a physician, but never too busy to speak a word of his Lord!

Christ sends us forth, just as he sent his disciples, to share the message of God's love, first with those who are closest to us, so that the word may spread from them to the rest of the world. Amen.