Our scripture this morning is Luke 10:1-12.
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you; it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
Jesus sends pairs of His followers out into the world to spread the Good News. This passage explains the instructions He gives them to enable their work. He tells them not to prepare as they would for a normal journey, but to trust in God for the things they need.
It may be hard for those who are planners and preparers to hear this. Some people are meticulous in their arrangements, with checklists and itineraries. Jesus tells them not to worry. Those of us who “fly by the seat of our pants” (yes, I’m one of them!) are similarly cautioned that we are to trust in the Lord and not in ourselves for this life-long mission.
Jesus calls us all and sends us into our world to share God’s love and mercy. He equips us with the gifts we need to be effective in our mission. As the disciples of today we are the messengers of the Gospel, bringing the joy of our savior to everyone.
Gracious God, we are humbled and thankful to be a part of Your kingdom coming on earth. Strengthen us by Your spirit and let us share the lessons You teach us with our brothers and sisters. Amen.