The Harvest is Plentiful
July 6, 2025. Luke 10:1-20. Rev. Edward Skutshek
After this the Lord appointed 72 others and sent them out to preach the kingdom of God. Their existence and appointment is somewhat shocking. Jesus had previously sent out his twelve disciples to announce the coming of the Kingdom of God, to heal the sick and drive out demons. (Luke 9:1-6) These were 72 different men.
In the verses immediately before our Gospel lesson Jesus encouraged a man who was eager to join Jesus on his mission to consider the costs of following him. The man gave no response. Another man Jesus had specifically called to follow him agreed to go, but immediately asked permission to bury his father first. Yet, another man agreed to go, again with one caveat: “Let me go say goodbye to my family.” Jesus called these two men to consider the urgency of his call to them.
Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to die and to rise. They would witness events that changed the world. The proclamation of the kingdom of God dwarfed what each believed was important and necessary, burying a father and saying goodbye to family and friends. The text is silent as to their final response to Jesus. Yet, Chapter Ten opens with a sentence that affirms that Jesus’ efforts bore fruit. Seventy-two had answered Jesus’ call to follow him and he appointed them to go out and proclaim the kingdom of God in his name.
Jesus said to them: “The harvest is plentiful.” These words reveal that Jesus had looked into the future and saw before him a sea of people. He likened them to innumerable stocks of grain in a vast field. This sea of people were those that God spoken of through the Prophet Isaiah. “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’ (Isaiah 65:1) The vast sea of faces were ready to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved from the power of sin, death and the Devil.
How would God reveal himself to this sea of people? God will use ordinary nameless people who will partner with Jesus Christ in this ministry of the proclamation of the Gospel of the coming of the kingdom of God through Jesus. He revealed what was lacking then, and continues to be lacking today, workers, evangelists who preach the Gospel to all who have ears to hear.
He sent the 72 out two by two. These partnerships were formed for very practical purposes. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) The twosome also fulfilled the requirements of the law given by Moses “The facts of the case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Deuteronomy 19:15, and Numbers 35:30). They were making a case, they were testifying that the kingdom of God had come to them in the person of Jesus and he too would be coming to that village. This was serious testimony and thus had to be established by two witnesses.
Jesus called them to trust and believe that he would provide for them as they went out in his name. They were not to take money or extra sandals. They were to rely on God to provide. They were to go to the places Jesus had directed with determination. They were charge straight ahead and not to turn to the right or left. They were to forgo customs like greeting people on the road, as time was of the essence. There could be no delays and they were not to dilly-dally.
He called them to believe that they would not lack a place to stay or food to eat. When they entered into their designated town, they were to go to a house and say ‘Peace to this house.’ Jesus promised that in many cases this greeting would open the doors of that home to the evangelists. They were to accept their hosts’ hospitality with grace and thanksgiving. They were not to move around and try to find better meals or accommodation.
In towns that welcomed their ministry they were to heal the sick and drive demons out of the possessed. These were signs of the presence of the kingdom of God. They were to preach Jesus’ coming.
Jesus declared that there would be towns that would not accept their peace or their ministry. He gave them specific instructions for a response to rejection. They were to go into the street of the town and say, ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’
They were not to pronounce a judgment on the town and its people, but rather to warn them of the consequences of their actions. The declaration Jesus told them to give spoke volumes. God’s chosen people waited for the coming of the kingdom of God. The Scriptures taught that kingdom would fully come in the person and the ministry of the Messiah, the anointed one of God. Jesus assured them that when a town accepted them, that town accepted Jesus and accepted God. When a town rejected them, the town had rejected Jesus as Messiah and rejected God.
Jesus found no satisfaction in a town’s rejection of his evangelists, himself and his Father. Jesus spoke to them with a broken heart. It was God’s most passionate desire for his people to love and obey him. God never stood idly by; he constantly reached out only to be rebuffed. Listen to these words that came from God’s lips and were recorded by the Prophet Isaiah.
All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations — a people who continually provoke me to my very face. (Isaiah 65:1).
Through the words of prophets and miraculous deeds God had reached out to his people. He vexed Egypt with plagues and thereby forced Pharaoh to let God’s people go. He parted the Red Sea and His people walked across on dry land. The same sea swallowed the Egyptian army that was bent on their destruction. In the conquest of the Promised Land God miraculously destroyed Jericho for them and gave them the strength to defeat their foes. Elijah and Elisha performed miracles among them. Prophets made predictions that were impossible to fulfill, and God miraculously fulfilled them in real time. Yet, the majority of the God’s people followed their pagan neighbors and their own imaginations.
Jesus lament became more personal, he named two towns, Bethsaida and Chorazin located on the shores of Lake Galilee. Phillip, Peter, and Andrew were from Bethsaida (see John 1:44). These towns had rejected Jesus despite the signs he showed them. He compared these lakeside villages to two seaside towns on the Mediterranean Sea: Tyre and Sidon. They were deep in Gentile territory. Jesus declared that if he had given the signs he gave in these Jewish towns, the people in these pagan cites would have repented.
The city of Capernaum, also on Lake Galilee was the center of Jesus’ ministry also rejected Jesus. Jesus announced that their petulance would not go unnoticed by God. They would be punished. Jesus made a startling revelation for all who heard and all who hear this Gospel lesson. Those have heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ and reject the same are treated more harshly than those who have never heard the Gospel.
Today we see Jesus as savior and judge. He always was and always will be both judge and savior at one and the same time. Every Sunday the Apostles Creed reveals that Jesus died for our sins and offers forgiveness and eternal life, yet the same Jesus will return and judge the living and the dead. Jesus spoke these words to the 72 more than two millennia ago and speaks these words to us today for our benefit. He calls us to remember who he is, who we are and why we are here.
When Jesus saw the harvest, when he gazed upon that sea of faces; he saw your face and he saw mine. Jesus sent workers who preached the Gospel to us. In my case he sent my mother, father and maternal grandmother, pastors, Sunday School teachers and trusted brothers and sisters in Christ. I am confident that each of you can point to many harvest workers that Jesus sent into your life. Like those 72 Jesus calls us to go out and proclaim the kingdom of God to others. Today’s Gospel lesson jogged my memory. Two accounts from my ministry came to mind.
The first account happened on a Saturday morning many years ago. I was in the middle of giving a devotion for our monthly men’s breakfast. I had a busy day in front of me. More reflection on Sundy’s sermon, CALC matters to attend to (I was the President of CALC at that time) and hospital visits. My cellphone went off. The incoming call was from a cell phone. I texted back: “Can’t answer now, will call you right back.” I finished the devotion and returned the call.
A lady from our congregation was on the other end. She asked me to come quickly if I could. A man was on his deathbed and the family had a question for me. I excused myself from the men’s breakfast and immediately went to that man’s home.
I learned the man was in his 70’s. He had been with the family for some 30 years. He was a husband and stepfather. The woman he married had two sons, the younger one was on the autism spectrum. The mother of the boys had endured a very difficult marriage. There was abuse. The couple divorced when the boys were young, and the boys never saw their father again. Tom had rescued a single mom with two very challenging sons. When he took her as his wife, he took her sons as his sons. The older son confessed that Tom came into his life when he was ten. Tom loved him through his very difficult teen years. As a young adult he met Jesus. Jesus turned that young man‘s life around. He was now a husband and father. He lived in Winnipeg. He lived a good life with his wife a two children. He went to church regularly. He confessed, “If Tom hadn’t been there for him and loved him unconditionally, he most likely would be dead or in jail.” The younger brother idolized Tom. He could get the autistic son to do anything. They wondered how he would deal with Tom’s death and how he would live without this amazing father to guide him.
Tom was a quiet and gentle man, yet his influence on the family was profound. Mom had always gone to church with her autistic son. Tom came along from time to time. When they talked about Jesus with one another he listened with interest. They all assumed he was a man of faith. When Tom, his wife and autistic son moved to Kelowna they did not find a church home.
Tom fell ill suddenly. His medical care subsumed the family. He eventually lost his ability to speak. However, he could gesture yes and no by moving his head. With his death immanent, someone asked if he was a Christian and had been baptized. He shook his head “no.” The next question was “Do you want to be?” He nodded “yes.” That is when I came in. I spoke to Tom about our sinfulness and Jesus’ saving grace. He nodded his understanding and approval. Then came the question. “Tom, do you want to be baptized?” He nodded yes enthusiastically. We baptized him in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit then and there. Tears of love and joy flowed. I left that house with a heart full of joy and thanksgiving. The residents of that house welcomed me. In so doing they welcomed God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God used me to guide another soul to rest in Jesus. Tom died quietly the next morning.
Then there was another man. He too was on his deathbed. It was a Thursday in the middle of winter. I got a call from a local care home. A distraught wife wanted a pastor to say prayers with her dying husband. The message stated that she regularly attended chapel services and asked if I would pray with her husband. I assumed she attended chapel services with her husband. Never assume! I rushed over. We went to her husband’s room. We found him on his back staring at the ceiling. He lay there stone-faced. I want to add that when I go to visit in a hospital or care home I most always wear a black shirt with a clerical collar. This identifies me as a Christian cleric.
My conversation started. “I’m Pastor Ed Skutshek from Grace Lutheran Church, your wife asked me to come this evening and pray with you. Can we pray together? ”He turned his head toward me. His facial expression remained unchanged. He looked me in the eye and said: “No.” I tried again. “No,” was his answer again. He turned his head and he ignored me. I said good night and retreated.
His wife followed me out and then pulled me aside and told me he was brought up a Roman Catholic. He was baptized as a baby. He had lived a rough life, the victim of abuse at the hands of alcoholic parents. When he grew up he married and became the alcoholic abuser. There was a messy divorce. The ex-wife and children will not speak to him. His current wife had mercy on him. She knew how to take care of him. She asked me if I would try again tomorrow (Friday). I said that I would. She promised to talk to him.
The next day we texted back and forth. Her final text at 5:00 PM said. “No need for you to come. I tried hard. Sorry you had to waste your time.” My heart sank.
I was at church on Saturday afternoon. I could not let this man go. I kept seeing his stone-cold face saying: “No!” I resolved to go to him once more.
I approached his bed. He had just been cleaned up by the nurses. He had a pleasant look on his face. He stared at the ceiling. I started: “Hi. It’s me again, Pastor Ed Skutshek. Look, we got off on the wrong foot on Thursday. Can we start over?” Just as these words came from my lips, he turned to me stone-faced and said: “I hate you Catholics.” My response: “I’m not a Catholic, I’m a Lutheran.” His retort: “You’re all the same!” He turned away and ignored me.
Without hesitation or forethought, these words came from my mouth. “Sir. I want to assure you that I am here today as a representative of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I want to assure you that he loves you. He loves you so much that he suffered and died on the cross for all the sins that you committed. He is reaching out to you now, today. He wants you to repent of your sinful life, confess your sins to him and ask for his forgiveness. He will forgive you and the gateway to eternal life will be open to you. Know this, he is always ready to hear your confession, to forgive you and grant you eternal life.” He continued to stare straight up to the ceiling.
Once again I left that room brokenhearted. The offer of peace through reconciliation with Jesus Christ was rejected. I could do no more. I had to leave. I left him with a warning and a promise. I informed that man that Jesus Christ had come to him that day. I informed him that Jesus Christ had made an offer to make peace with that man. I informed him that all Jesus wanted to hear these words “I have sinned! …..Forgive me!”
Jesus promised that every time a sinner repents the angels in heaven rejoice. (Luke 15:10). There was rejoicing in heaven when Tom repented and was baptized. Was there rejoicing in heaven for the other man? Did that man take advantage of Jesus’ offer while contemplating his life and remorse set in? We can’t know on this side of eternity.
Jesus continues to send us into the world two by two. In Tom’s case, the person who asked Tom if he was a Christian was my partner. In the case of the man in the care home, it was his new wife. Together we proclaimed the kingdom of God. Jesus promises that sometimes there will be rejoicing in heaven and on earth when we encounter people with the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. He promises that other times there will be no joy, rather there will be heartbreak. Jesus’ lament over the towns who would not listen was real.
Speaking through the Prophet Ezekiel God said: “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” (Ezekiel 18:23). The Apostle Peter assures us that God is patient with us, reaching out to us. God is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9). Rejection of the message and the messenger is a reality of ministry in the name of Jesus Christ.
Like the 72, God calls us to go out two by two. Jesus calls us to keep our eyes open for that partner he has called to work together with us in this ministry of reconciliation with God through faith in Christ. When we receive that call, we are not to hesitate but to go. He calls to be ready for emergencies. If someone confesses their faith and wants to be baptized in the face of death or possible death. Do it! You have the authority. If someone wants to confess and receive forgiveness and absolution. Do it! You have the authority. If you witness for Jesus and you are rejected. Declare that Jesus has come to them through you and walk away. But, in your heart continue to pray for that person. Pray that another team would come to that person with the life giving and life saving Gospel. Pray that in a quiet moment the one who rejected Jesus would repent in the solitude of their heart and mind and make peace with God through their faith in Christ Jesus. Pray that God would continue use you as a part of a team that brings the message that saves a soul here below and makes angels rejoice in heaven.
Amen.
Copyright © 2025 St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Kamloops
Watch this sermon live here: https://youtu.be/bF3ZwU9mZqc
