Eastertide

May 23, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Numbers 11:24-30

So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord; and he gathered seventy elders of the people, and placed them all around the tent. Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do so again.

Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, ‘Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.’ And Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, ‘My lord Moses, stop them!’ But Moses said to him, ‘Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!’ And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.

I fear evangelism has gained a divisive reputation in our society. I cringe when I hear the news talking about evangelical churches as a separate entity from other Christian churches. All Christians are called to be evangelists, which simply means the proclamation of the gospel, especially: the presentation of the gospel to individuals and groups by such methods as preaching, teaching, and personal or family visitation programs*. Much of the differentiation lies in the definitions of the subject matter of what is preached or taught. We are all, indeed, challenged to Do [our] best to present [ourselves] to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) We all can get caught up in our culture wars today and need to make more effort to consider them in the light of Jesus’s teachings and example.

 I was struck when reading the above scripture that the idea of sharing the story of God and God’s interactions with people dates back to the earliest experiences of the Israelites up to and including the presence of the spirit God makes available to all people who seek a relationship with God and God expects each of us to share God’s love with others.

The scripture describes a well-attended meeting of 70 elders who prophesied to each other but not outside their chosen circle. Two guys who missed the meeting, however, felt compelled to share God’s truths with others. Would that all the Lord’s people were spokespersons spreading the love of God throughout the world.

Prayer: Lord, let your spirit guide our scripture study so we might gain the insights you wish us to share with others. Amen.

*https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/Evangelism

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.