WeCan Do It!

in Philippians 4:13, Paul wrote: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This has been a verse that has held me together both in tough and joyous times. For this to be true for us, we must have faith. Paul also writes in Romans: “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” In Matthew’s Gospel, we see Jesus looking upon the crowds “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd,” and he sends his disciples into the world to heal, proclaim, and restore.
These two passages belong together more than we might think at first in at least three ways.
Romans tells us what Christ has done for us. Matthew shows us what Christ now does through us.
Romans proclaims peace with God; Matthew sends peacemakers into a troubled world.
Romans announces grace received by faith; Matthew shows grace in the actions of the disciples.
Last week Luther’s description of faith was as “a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.” This quote also helps us understand how today’s readings fit together. Recall this. Faith is confidence in the mercy of God revealed in Christ. Because it is living faith, it cannot and should not remain still. We share this gift with love toward others. Listening again to Paul’s transforming words. “Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Total peace with God. Not a fragile or breakable truce. Peace.
We are given this gift even though we know the sins we repeat, the fears we hide, the patience we lack. We know how quickly we become anxious, resentful, proud, or weary. John 4:19 states : "We love because he first loved us." Our life as Christ begins not with proving ourselves but with being loved. From that love, our mission in Christ follows.
In Matthew, Jesus sees the crowds and has strong compassion for them. Jesus is moved by the pain he sees in people who are exhausted, scattered, wounded, spiritually hungry Jesus then teaches what as seminarians we learn in our chaplaincy training. Before Jesus sends the disciples, he first teaches them how to see. Mission and ministry begin in compassion. The disciples must learn to look upon the world with the merciful eyes of Christ.
Then Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” The problem is not whether God desires to save and heal. The problem is whether there are people willing to go in his name. It takes faith, it takes courage, it takes humility and surrender to God’s will. As our scripture often says, Jesus calls ordinary people: fishermen, tax collectors, flawed and fearful disciples. And he sends them to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven has come near.
Notice what they are sent to do: “Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.” I think today, we are off the hook on some of this. But we are called to restore bodies, minds, relationships, and communities. To build God’s kingdom we are to heal, cleanse, reconcile, and liberate, bringing the love of God through us.
Luther brings us back to the same foundation that the disciples were given: we must first receive God’s grace and mercy before we can go into the world to share them.”
This is why Paul’s words matter so much: “God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” The church does not exist as a society of the spiritually successful. The church is a community of forgiven sinners learning to trust Christ. And that changes how we serve.
When faith is only confidence in ourselves, we can become defensive, anxious, competitive, and judgmental. It can also turn into arrogance. But when faith is confidence in God’s grace, we are finally free to love others without fear. We can with certainty declare: Christ has not abandoned us. Thanks be to God.
The disciples in Matthew are told: “You received without payment; give without payment.” That is the rhythm of the Gospel. Receive and give. Mercy received becomes mercy shared.
And perhaps this word is especially important now because so many people remain “harassed and helpless.” Some are crushed by economic fear, or illness or loneliness or bitterness. Some by the quiet despair that life no longer has meaning
Remarkably, Jesus still sends imperfect disciples into the world carrying his peace. Not because they are strong or holy enough, but because his grace is enough. Paul says “hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through Holy Spirit.”
That line brings everything together. Our Christian life is not sustained by willpower alone. God’s own love and Jesus’ compassion is poured into us through the Holy Spirit. So the church is called to be a people of hopeful courage in a weary world.
Big job isn’t it? Bringing the kingdom of God to others. We have to let go of our own weariness. By ourselves we would fail, with the Holy Spirit, all things are possible. Luther would remind us that this life flows not from anxious striving but from trust. The power of Jesus mission rests finally not on us, but in the authority and compassion of Christ. That being said, WE CAN DO IT! Even if you yourself are weak, wounded, maybe uncertain in faith or feel too ordinary.
The Holy Spirit has brought forward the gospel through ordinary people who trust an extraordinary Savior. Even a guy from the Southside of Chicago. And we don’t have to start at the beginning. Jesus is already at work in the world’s pain and longing. The church is simply called to join him there.
So for we who are willing to put faith in action we are never alone, the responsibility doesn’t just rest on our shoulders. Jesus is with us, we don’t have to rely on ourselves to serve God or to be a child of God. We have been given gifts. The love of God and the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God. Amen.