June 11, 2023

"Lord, You Give the Great Commission" | Third Sunday after Pentecost

15 minutes

ZACHARY'S NOTES:

Stanza 1 // When we read this weekend’s Gospel text, it can sound like Jesus’ sending of the disciples belongs in a movie. We know each by name, and our Lord gives these disciples authority to do many things in His name. This hymn reminds us God has given us this same work! Our authority comes from Christ Himself, who gives the “great commission” - “heal the sick and preach the word.” If we still feel unqualified for such a mission, this stanza reminds us it is the work of Christ and those called by the Spirit into the Church - even such sinners and betrayers as Judas were sent in this way. To “witness with renewed integrity” means to hear again the purpose of the Church - that the Word of Christ might be given and sinners [or the sick] healed.

Stanza 2 // The remaining stanzas of this hymn give purpose to our work as congregations and Christians today. What can seem like a distant Bible story in Bible times is given purpose here and now. Here, the focus is baptism and teaching. The hymn reminds us we do not do these things because “Jesus said so” - like some parents might say - or even because the hymn tells us to do this, but because of the words we pray: “...that the world may trust your promise.” This promise gives “abundant life” to each/all who hear Christ’s Word. We might quibble with the concluding words of this stanza: “Give us all new fervor, draw us closer in community.” In baptism, we are made members of Christ’s Church, baptized into a fellowship that cannot be broken. We sing these words of community in light of the tremendous promise given to us in Holy Baptism. As one person has said: “Water is thicker than blood.”

Stanza 3 // The third stanza addresses the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Christ’s words to “go to the lost sheep” are connected in this stanza, as we recall the Lord’s Supper, given to betrayers. Christ’s words are meant for those who betray him - those who are lost. There is nothing more liberating than the good news of new life in Christ, and so we pray in this stanza that the world would know the freedom Christ gives, where betrayers are forgiven, and sinners are made saints of Almighty God.Stanza 4 // Words of Christ - words of love and forgiveness - are placed in our mouth to sing! At times, this can be dangerous as we confuse our words with God’s. In the context of this hymn, we are reminded Christians are sent into the world with nothing more than the love of God in Jesus Christ - the forgiveness of sin. The second half of this stanza is one of confession. We “hoard as private treasure all that [Christ] so freely gives.” In this stanza, to be empowered by God’s Spirit is to hear again the promise given to us in Baptism - “you are forgiven” - and to freely give this promise to others as God gives us opportunity.

Stanza 5 // Though we sing these words of encouragement together, they are a promise from Jesus Christ! Christ is with us to the end of life, and in the promise of baptism, to the end of all time! Because our Lord promises faith, gives us hope, and shows us unending love, we serve now “holding in mind eternity” - that is, knowing we belong to God today.

Refrain // As a refrain, these words are a prayer. They should be sung in the context of each stanza. The “Spirit’s gifts” are many, but in this hymn, we have in mind the Spirit’s giving of Christ to those lost and in need of a Shepherd. This is the ministry and mission of the Church in Jesus’ day and for all time.

SUGGESTIONS: