CALLED OUT

And [Jesus] said to [the disciples], “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” – Luke 24:46-48

Last Sunday, we heard the story of the women at the tomb bearing witness to Jesus’ resurrection. This coming Sunday, we’ll hear the story of the resurrected Christ appearing to some disciples as they traveled down the road to Emmaus. That will be our last reading from Luke’s Gospel this season. The chapter continues on, however, with Jesus meeting his disciples and telling them what their work will be after he ascends to heaven. 

Jesus clearly tells his disciples that their work won’t let them stay put. As witnesses to Jesus’ work, they are called out of where they are comfortable and safe and out into a world that will reject them, ridicule them, and even attack them. Their work as followers of Jesus and teachers of the gospel means leaving behind what was easy and familiar and out into a world that needed to hear the good news. 

Next Sunday, April 18th, Easter Lutheran will have its annual meeting at noon. If you are a member of this congregation, you can join us in the work of approving a budget, electing leaders, and affirming the work of the congregation. (If you’re not officially a member yet, that’s okay! We have a new members class coming up on May 4th and would love to see you there.) One other item on our agenda is voting to affirm Easter’s racial equity work. Approving the resolution is one way for this congregation to recognize and support this ministry and hear more about what it continues to do in our church and community.  (Resolution 4)

I realize that for many people this feels challenging. It is really difficult to confront the idea of racism. It makes us uncomfortable and uncertain. It feels safer to contend that the church is no place for such conversations. Church is meant to make us feel good, conversations about racism don’t feel nice, and we should just stick to what we know. 

I would like to gently and lovingly push against that concept. As Jesus told his disciples gathered with him after his resurrection, they would be called to all nations. That is: they would be called to people who didn’t look, sound, or act like them. This would be uncomfortable, humbling work. The work of the church has never been to be nice. The work of the church is to share the gospel, love God, and love our neighbors as ourselves. This will mean confronting anything that keeps us from sharing the good news and acting in love. That might take many forms including working through racism, sexism, nationalism, or anything that tempts us to see others as less worthy, less beloved, or less included in God’s work. 

I welcome your questions, concerns, or thoughts as you read the resolution on racial equity leading up to our annual meeting. I continue to pray for God’s guidance as we consider who Jesus calls us to be in the world. As always, we seek to be witnesses to God’s powerful work of love for the sake of all.

Let us pray:

Jesus, you sent your disciples out into an unfamiliar world to share your good news. Work in our hearts and lives so we might do the same. Show us anything that keeps us from fully including and serving all people so that we might leave it aside. Empower us to serve boldly and compassionately. Send us out in your name. Amen.