He does not, in the shorthand of today, “set them up for success.”  For this pilot project – or, if you will, this “feasibility study,” or “proof of concept” exercise – Jesus sends out a dozen of his closest followers in a way that we might describe as rather ad hoc. Unprepared.  Many of us, setting out on a journey, have a tendency to over-prepare. They are told to take nothing – Jesus, in fact, is quite specific about what they not take! No staff, no knapsack, no bread, money, no clean shirt.

What’s going on?  In a nutshell, this is Jesus’ community development training manual in action.  There are four elements.  First, he focuses on a cohesive, core group to bring transformation in the world.  He equips them, and he trusts them, to take on this role. Second, Jesus keeps it simple – they are sent out to share words of good news about a God of love, and to bring healing for what troubles the people they encounter.  They are not yet teaching – that comes later.  They are simply planting seeds of a new relationship with God that is freeing, and that brings healing.  Third, they are to spend time with people where those people live, in the midst of people’s daily lives.  And they’re to accept hospitality from those people, day by day, to meet their needs.  Fourth, don’t force yourself – or especially God – on people.  If people don’t respond positively to you, don’t push it.  Just move on – let it go.  It’s okay.

In the background there is one more point – the powers-that-be may well not like any of this… but that’s okay too.

It is a turning point in Luke.  Up until now, we’ve met Jesus and followed him around Galilee listening to his teaching, watching him cast out demons, healing people, and other amazing things.  Going from town to town he’s picked up a crowd of followers, and he has appointed twelve in particular to be his closest followers, an inner circle.  And in that time, they had seen some things, for sure.

Now we come to the point where the twelve are first called apostles—they go from “disciple”, which means a follower, to “apostle”, which means to be sent.

And here, in very few words, we get the outline of Jesus’ handbook – “How To Train Your Apostle.”  How to take them from follower to those who are sent.

From follower… to active participant, even leader.

In effect, suppose you showed up here today and I said, “Okay, so here’s what we’re going to do.  Instead of me standing here and providing you with some insightful words about Jesus—I want you to split up and go walking about the surrounding neighbourhoods, and streets, and businesses… like Jesus.

“Don’t take anything – don’t take your wallet or purse, no credit cards.  Don’t take any food or money— rely on God to provide for you through the kindness of others.  Don’t go home at night either.  As you go from house to house, place to place, find someone to stay with.  Eat what they offer.  We’re called to serve others – but God also serves us through others.  So, don’t look for a nice house – stay with the first person who offers.  If no one offers, go to the next block.  Tell everyone you meet that Jesus has brought God’s vision of the world near – a world healed, and whole.  If anyone is sick, pray with them that God will heal them.  And, if you end up not being welcome somewhere – locked doors, shops with no soliciting signs on the doors, or someone calls the cops – keep moving.  This is not something to be forced on people.  God’s love, healing and hope are simply an invitation to each of us to allow God to be part of our lives.  If the invitation is not welcome, let it go – hostility can cling like dust to our feet, and hinder life, and growth.  Jesus’ words invite us to let go of rejection.”

And, I’d end by saying, “I know, you’ve never really done anything like this before, so it’s kind of scary.  But don’t worry, you’ll do fine.  I’ll give you the confidence and authority that you need, that God has given me.  All right.  Let’s do it.  Pick your buddy.  Let’s meet back here in—Oh, let’s say three weeks.”

No safety net.  Off they go.  Off you go.

It makes a splash.  Even Herod is paying attention.  He can’t make sense of the reports he’s getting.  Miracles, preaching, telling stories—and the thousands and thousands of people following this man.  Herod’s trying to figure out who Jesus really is.

When they return, the newly minted apostles tell him all that they had done.  And Jesus takes them off to a town called Bethsaida, to find some quiet space to debrief.  What he’s modelling here is collaborative ministry.

In fact, Jesus’ whole approach is a kind of Adult Learning 101.  First, you talk about what we’re seeking to learn, why it’s valuable to develop this ability, or set of insights and tools, and then you talk about how to do it.  You teach it.  Explain it.  Then you show them how to do it.  They watch you.  You teach and explain more as you demonstrate. And then you let them try.  You have to hand it over and trust them to do it.  You might observe them at first, but then you walk away.

After a little while, you come back and talk about how it’s going.  Debrief.

And then, when you return to explaining and demonstrating some more… it’s on a new level.  This time the group is paying closer attention and beginning to understand in a deeper way—rooted in their own actual experience.

This is how Jesus got them ready – not to start and promote a new religion… This is how Jesus got them equipped to change the world…

And it’s really the only way the world does change – tell the story, let people know what Jesus brings, says, does.  Look for people of peace – people who are open to what we’re talking about.  Pray for people.  Take the message of grace and truth and hope and forgiveness and peace to people who are being crushed under the weight of the way things are…

So, we show up here on Sunday for… Well, for what?  For teaching and reflection, and debriefing our experience?  To come back and tell the stories of what we’ve seen, and done, and learned, in the week, as followers, still, of Jesus.  Seeking to act the way he acted, doing what he did, following through with how he suggested we live.  Sharing a worldview, values and commitments that are empowering.  Showing others the hope and community that this gives us, along with the energy, the spirit, to transform people’s lives, and the world.

In the very next chapter of Luke, Jesus calls and sends out six times as many people – seventy-two of them – to get the word out, to figure out how to get organized around a word from God that we are loved, and that we are a part of what God wants to do in the world.

Twelve won’t be enough, but seventy-two are not enough either.  Which brings it back to us – still today.  Followers who are sent – sent in ways that make us vulnerable.  But sent – not sitting tight.  The movement is always outward, and when we return it’s to come together to reflect, to learn from our experiences, to replenish heart and spirit, to be sent once more, in faith – to make a difference.  Hands on.

May it be so.