"Go!"

I'd like to share with you just for amoment, one of the events that I witnessed over this past weekend. In additionto celebrating my dad's birthday, we also had the opportunity to attendgraduation and call day at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. This time it was mybrother's turn as he was assigned to be a tutor at Michigan Lutheran Seminary,one of our two preparatory high schools in our church body in Saginaw, MI. Andif you're wondering, as a tutor, my brother will have the opportunity to be adorm supervisor, teach religion classes and coach. But as we were sitting inthe auditorium waiting for the reading of Assignments by our synod president, Ihad all these flashbacks of thoughts and emotions from when I was sitting there9 years ago with my fiancé, waiting to hear my name called for assignment toBeautiful Savior, El Paso, TX.

What do you think goes through apastor's mind as he's about to receive his first call into the full-timepastoral ministry? It isn't his first call, as he's already received his vicarcall. But this is different. This is a permanent assignment. You don't knowwhere you're going, what the church or people are like. There are so manythoughts running through your mind. But one thing is for sure. The candidate iscertainly excited to carry out the Great Commission of our Lord which is verse19 of our lesson where and "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit andteaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..."

These are the words of Jesus to hisdisciples, but imagine you're sitting there in that auditorium. Instead of itbeing the president of the WELS, it is the Lord Jesus himself. He calls outyour name and he simply says to you, "Go!"There may be a little fear and trepidation. You don't know where you are goingto go, to Texas, or half-way around the world. You don't know who you're goingto share that word of God with.

That can be pretty scary? To think that spreadingGod's word and extending his kingdom, shepherding a flock and caring for soulsis going to be done by someone like me? Yet, that's your assignment - "Go!" God knows your fearsand worries when it comes to sharing the good news. That's why Jesus didn'tleave the command to "Go and make disciples by Baptizing andTeaching" all by itself. It's the verses before and after that commandthat we want to focus on this morning. "Go!"Knowing that Jesus' power gives youstrength, and Jesus' presence givesyou peace.