Luke 10:1-24If we needed a scripture mandate for our door-knocking efforts at St. Luke's Lubbock, here it is. What a powerful and feisty Jesus we have here. He challenges the seventy-two new recruits to boldly go and share their faith. But this is no hit-and-run effort. They are to stay in people's homes: eating their food, healing their sick and proclaiming God's kingdom in their midst. This is a few steps beyond what we have done. Certainly, this was a different day and time, a time when it was common to welcome and host strangers. People were on foot, housing was limited, and these were days of poverty for most Palestinian people - Jew and non-Jew alike. In poorer areas of the world, this kind of hospitality is still shared today. While the particulars may no longer apply, the principle does. They were to build significant relationships with people they didn't know very well, offer ministry to people in their need, and share the good news of God's life-changing, world-changing love in Jesus Christ. I submit that is still the job description of those who follow Jesus.
It is risky to follow such a strategy, and Jesus makes no bones about it. There will be those who are receptive and those who will be not interested or even be opposed. In the end, this is where God is leading both our campuses. The door-knocking, the fliers, the picnics, the block parties and the school partnerships are the warm-up for the main game - building significant friendships and becoming involved in our neighborhoods and community for witness and change. The response of the people is not in our control. We make the offer and if they are responsive, wonderful things will happen beyond what we would expect. If they are not responsive, you just move on. For me, it is hard to be this personal with people without taking their lack of response personally (as a rejection of me, as my failure). That fear of rejection and failure also is what keeps me from building those significant relationships in the first place.
Last night(Friday), Tina invited me to go out to dinner with her - her treat. Then we had to figure out where we would go. It just so happened that we found a flier on our door for "The Red Carpet" restaurant, located downtown at Avenue L and Main. It's only open on Friday and Saturday night. On other days, they do catering. Chef Carlos Rangel has a blast at what he does. His mother greeted us warmly, saying I reminded her of a movie star (flattery will get you everywhere!). The chef sang with the Beatles' music in the background and everyone was greeted openly and warmly. They actually acted like they wanted to get to know us. Chef Carlos says he likes to walk, so he takes fliers out every time he goes out. We were one household that responded. We will go back there and I'm telling you about our great experience. I think there is a message there somewhere. Are we just hooked on quick results or are we willing to do what it takes to build relationships with people, knowing that some will not be responsive?
The seventy-two return to Jesus and share that the "demons submitted to them in your name." They discovered the power of the message, the Savior and the kingdom they proclaimed. Jesus was thrilled to hear what they shared and cautioned them not to get caught up in the hype of their success. Not every campaign would go this well (after all, the symbol of our faith is a cross). But still Jesus is hardly able to contain himself, for his disciples are finally starting to get what he is all about. What would happen if we really understood the privilege we have to share the message and the Savior that changes the world? What would happen if we dared to build these relationships where miracles happened and the kingdom of God became real - not just something we talk about? That's the challenge to you and me. How shall I respond? How will you?
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