Luke 10:1-12, 16-20
"Discipleship, Joy and Heaven"

      Disciple, discipline, and discipleship: What do these words mean?  How are they related?  What does Christianity have to do with each and all of them?
      The biblical word is disciple.  Jesus had many disciples, and sometimes we separate twelve of them and call them apostles.  But today we believe that all who are baptized and make a commitment to follow through with that baptismal covenant are disciples - that means you are and I am a disciple.
      Disciple means learner.  I have been told that the most frequently used word to address Jesus in the New Testament was Rabbi, or Teacher.  How appropriate that his followers should be disciples - learners!
      Discipline is from the same root as disciple.  It means to train or guide the one who learns.  Discipline is not punishment as such.  Following guidelines may feel like punishment to the learner, but that is not its purpose.  A stake placed by a tree or three ropes tied to a tree from stakes - loosely attached, guide the tree in growing straight when the winds and storms of life buffet it.  That is discipline.
      Discipleship is what we hold or carry.  Notice the part of the word, SHIP.  I believe that this part of the word has to do with that which we have learned.  A ship generally carries something, product or passengers.  Discipleship is the carrying out of the teachings of our Master.  It is what goes on after the lesson has been taught, or the teacher has left - and the disciples live out the Teacher's teachings as if traveling in a ship.
      Therefore, we may ask, "Is it enough to 'follow' Jesus?  Or, what does it mean to follow him?"
      The first lesson I discern from this Sabbath day's reading is that discipleship is exemplified by witness.
      The appointment or calling of the seventy disciples (some manuscripts say seventy-two) is simply stated.  The message of recruitment is clear: "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few."  I believe that this statement could be made in any age - even including ours.
      The purpose of the seventy is just as clear: witness.  "The Kingdom has come near to you." is the message.  The seventy's presence, as well as their words, was evidence of the reign (Kingdom) of God.  Jesus was the "Lord of the harvest" and they were his followers.
      The judgment of Christ was plain:  "Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me" (verse 16).  Obviously this was comforting to the disciples, but awesome in its implications.  There is responsibility as well as privilege.  The story must be told simply and straight.
      To witness is simply to tell our story.  "Once I was blind, and now I can see.  And Jesus did it."  This is the witness of the man in the John 9 story.   This is written about one artist, Rembrandt: "His profoundly spiritual scenes were a continuous assertion of his faith, confirming the Bible by restating its event in terms of his own experience and imagination."  Telling his story through the medium of art.  So a few years later, Vincent Van Gogh said: "It is impossible to look at Rembrandt's art and not believe in God."
      That is why our Christianity is a way of life, a lifestyle, not a philosophy.  A philosopher philosophizes, a Christian does witness.
      A second lesson from this Sabbath scripture is that "The Kingdom of God is permeated with joy."
      "The seventy returned with joy," our text says.  Joy and witnessing go together.  As Jesus said in another place:  "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents"  (Luke 15:10).  How often did Jesus describe the Kingdom of God like a marriage feast, or a fine banquet?  Joy is one of the marks of the Christian.
      Life is to be lived under the signs of wonder, gratitude, joy and responsibility.
      A third lesson noted in this scripture is that heaven is identified by relationships.
".... Rejoice that your names are written in heaven."  Other scriptures use, the "book of life!"  I believe the insight is that disciples are known, identified, and related to the "Lord of the Harvest."  Our names are known.
      Disciples witness because of their relationship with Jesus Christ.  Faithful disciples, whose names are known, mark Heaven!  Perhaps this story might help.  It seems that a census taker inquired at the door of a woman about her husband, name, age, address, and then children.  The woman responded: "There's Marcia, Margaret, John, and Jim.... The census taker interrupted:  "I am not interested in names, only numbers."  The woman replied, "My children do not have numbers, only names."
      Remember, personal salvation is the result of faithful witnessing, not the goal of witnessing.  Disciples are called to be faithful, not successful.  Ours is not the act of conversion.  That belongs to God's Holy Spirit.  We are faithful because we are disciples.
      How many of you get Christmas cards, birthday cards, and letters from friends and family around the country?  How many of you send cards or letters?  How do friends and family members know where - and remember when - to send cards?
      Our church address book tells us where our church family and friends are.  We can change the address and telephone number when someone moves or add another when someone takes up housekeeping. 
      The Bible tells us that God knows where we are at all times, and uses the idea that our names are written in heaven in the "Lamb’s book of life!"  God knows us and no matter where we go, as long as we are faithful in our witness, our names are written there. Is your name in the Book?