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CHAPTER X He Who Receives You Receives Me
The disciples arrived on cue.
The two weeks rest had done them well. They were joking with each other, happy and obviously refreshed from time with their loved ones.
The next day Jesus began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did he get these ideas?" they asked. "What is this wisdom that he has? Where did he get that? How do we explain these miracles?" (Isn't it interesting how it seems to be human nature never to give a person--any person--credit for a seminal idea? It is always assumed that if another has an interesting thought, that he must have gotten it from some resource other than himself.) They observed Mary and the rest of Jesus' family. "This, the son of the carpenter!? Here is his mother and here are his brothers and sisters! We watched him grow up right here in our streets. He is ordinary. He is nothing special! He is like us. Why did he not stay here among us instead of traipsing around the country? Why does he not honor his own family--and us?" And so, many were offended at his teaching.
Jesus said to them, "It seems that in his hometown a prophet is without honor. In so dishonoring me, you rob yourselves." Jesus, of course, was not unaccustomed to such treatment. Perhaps he expected more from those who knew him from childhood. In any case, he could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was disheartened at their lack of faith and confidence in him. So taking his leave of Nazareth, Jesus moved from village to village teaching and preaching to any who would listen.
It is said that Aristotle, the fabled Greek philosopher who lived more than 300 years ago, walked about, teaching and instructing as he went from place to place. This method of teaching became known as the Aristotelian peripatetic method. Although I doubt that Jesus ever read Aristotle (though one never knows), it seems that he found this method suited his own purpose. He walked from town to town, village to village preaching, teaching and healing. As always, crowds gathered. To Jesus they seemed disoriented and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. His heart filled with compassion for them, he said to his disciples, "There are so many. These fields are so ripe. They are plentiful and they are ready for harvest, but there seems to be very few harvesters." Indeed there was only him, the twelve and those of us who followed him. "We should ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers who can harvest these fields for the kingdom of God." The "Lord of the harvest?" Wasn't he the Lord of the harvest? Jesus often fell back into his parable mode of expression, even when he spoke of himself.
We found ourselves in the hills overlooking Tiberias. Wave caps glistened as the sun rose over the Sea of Galilee beyond the town. We warmed ourselves by the fire Peter had built and breakfasted on warmed barley cakes sprinkled with olive oil and goat cheese. Jesus had dismissed the crowd earlier than usual the night before, and we'd all had a quiet and restful night's sleep. So, calling together the twelve "apostles," he said "I have a special mission for you. The nation of Israel is God's chosen envoy for the entire human race. For centuries they have been so. It is appropriate, therefore, to give them the opportunity to continue that purpose. Their message to the world is to be the message I bring. Since it is theirs to preach and teach this message, it follows that it is they who must first accept its Messenger, the Messiah, the Son of Man. So I send you, my students, as ambassadors and laborers in the harvest among our own people. For this mission, I do not want you to go among non-Jews or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go only to the lost sheep of Israel. It is they who are being given this opportunity." "This is the message I want you to preach: 'Hear, O Israel, if you will receive it, the Kingdom of Heaven is here, at your very doorstep. Accept its King; accept his Message and become his ambassadors to all people throughout the world and so fulfill the Father's promise to Abraham.'" It is important, indeed critical, to realize that Jesus was not in this act of sending this message to the Israelite nation offering only to them the Kingdom itself. Instead, he was employing them to be his ambassadors to the entire world. It is through the Hebrew nation that news of the Gospel should come. They were to be the carriers of the Message. To them has been given the message of redemption, the message that the Kingdom awaits all who believe, all throughout the world, who will accept its King. "Now, as you go," Jesus continued, "do not forget to do kind and miraculous things for people. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who are diseased and drive away evil. Freely you have received the power to do this, now freely give that power away. "You need no money; take no provisions for the journey or extra clothing. Do not concern yourself with generating an income for your expenses, for the message you bring is worth what it takes to keep you going. "Whatever town or village you enter, search for a person of means and tell him you wish to stay at his house until you have completed your mission in that town. As you enter his home, give him your greeting and declare your purpose plainly. If he is sympathetic and receptive, let your peace rest on that home; if he is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, then leave. Let it be as if you shake the dust off your feet. While it is sad, you are not responsible for the choices of others. He glanced around the group, his eyes focused on James and Thomas. "Some of you look a bit worried. You need not be. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny, yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the Father's knowledge? Did you know that even the hairs of your head are numbered?" Glancing at Matthew's receding hairline, he smiled, "Some have less for God to keep track of than others." Laughter. "So do not fear. Hold nothing back. You are worth more than many sparrows. "And never forget, he who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. If anyone gives to you even so much as a cup of cold water because you serve me, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." "Now go! Off with you! Do it and do it like I know you can. Let me hear the crowds roar from Judea to Galilee. And know that with every step you take and in every word you speak, I shall be in your heart." When he finished his charge, the disciples went away two by two, shouting and pumping their fists in the air, enthused by their anticipation of what they had to accomplish. Jesus seemed pleased but sober as he watched them go. With this mission, the nation of Israel will be given her opportunity.
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