Missionary Work Still Needed Among the Wolves

In this week’s gospel reading, from Luke, chapter 10, we read about the time Jesus sent seventy-two of his followers out on an important mission. They were to go into all the towns and places that Jesus intended to visit, and they were to proclaim, “The kingdom of God is at hand.” Their task was to get the people ready for Jesus’ imminent appearance.

Before they embarked on this mission, Jesus also said to them, “I am sending you like lambs among wolves.”

For those of us who try to live the Christian life in modern day America, it sometimes seems as if we’re a bunch of lambs living among wolves. For example, who would’ve thought that judges could distort the First Amendment’s clear and obvious meaning—freedom OF religion—into the warped idea of freedom FROM religion?

I’m reminded of a case here in Connecticut a few years ago. A federal judge ruled in a lawsuit (filed by the ACLU, what a surprise) that a high school could not hold its graduation ceremony in a large, air-conditioned church, even though there would not have been any prayer or sermon, and all religious images were to be covered. The facility was selected solely because of its 3,000 theater-like seats, great sound system, and reasonable rental fee. But the judge claimed if people even entered the building, they would be coerced into accepting that particular church’s religious beliefs.

I’ve got news for the judge: I was dragged to Mass every week for 18 years, and I went off to college as a confirmed atheist. The idea that being inside a church automatically causes someone to be a Christian makes about as much sense as the idea that being inside a garage automatically causes someone to be a Buick.

Fifty years ago, who would’ve thought the two institutions that bring peace and stability to society—the family and the church—would be under such attack today? Who would’ve thought the Ten Commandments and prayer would be outlawed from public buildings, while abortion, immoral behavior, and a contempt for Western civilization would be enthusiastically promoted?

Sad as it is, that’s the situation today. People who try to promote Christian values and beliefs are like lambs among wolves.

Jesus gave his followers the power to conquer evil. He told them, “I have given you the power to tread upon…the full force of the enemy.” When the seventy-two returned from their mission, they exclaimed to Jesus, “Even the demons are subject to us because of your name.”

Modern-day Christians often forget that Christ has given us this same power through the Holy Spirit. We must remember that the forces of evil shudder at the sound of the Lord’s name. We can command evil influences to flee when we invoke the name of Jesus. I’ve seen it happen; it really works.

Jesus reminded the seventy-two evangelists about the true purpose of their mission. He said, “Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the [evil] spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

We don’t spread the Gospel for the fun of it. We don’t talk about Jesus just to have something to say. We don’t use his name in casting out temptation and evil because it’s cool to watch someone on the verge of sin suddenly stop. We don’t promote Christianity simply because we enjoy living in a sane and civilized society (although that’s a pretty good by-product of a citizenry that follows the teachings of Christ). 

We obey Jesus’ command to spread the Gospel so people can have their names inscribed in the book of life in Heaven. We do this for two simple reasons: Hell is awful, and forever is a long time. Please don’t lose sight of those facts.