After these things, the Lord commissioned seventy-two others and sent them on ahead in pairs to every city and place he was about to go. He said to them, “The harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers for his harvest. Go! Be warned, though, that I’m sending you out as lambs among wolves. Carry no wallet, no bag, and no sandals. Don’t even greet anyone along the way. Whenever you enter a house, first say, ‘May peace be on this house.’ If anyone there shares God’s peace, then your peace will rest on that person. If not, your blessing will return to you. Remain in this house, eating and drinking whatever they set before you, for workers deserve their pay. Don’t move from house to house. Whenever you enter a city and its people welcome you, eat what they set before you. Heal the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘God’s kingdom has come upon you.’ Whenever you enter a city and the people don’t welcome you, go out into the streets and say, ‘As a complaint against you, we brush off the dust of your city that has collected on our feet. But know this: God’s kingdom has come to you.’
Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” The seventy-two returned joyously, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit themselves to us in your name.” Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Look, I have given you authority to crush snakes and scorpions underfoot. I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, don’t rejoice because the spirits submit to you. Rejoice instead that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, CEB)
After these things… The sending out of the 12 and the transfiguration and Jesus calling others to follow and them giving excuses as to why they needed time.
Jesus sends out 72 in pairs. To share God’s love. To proclaim peace to places they are welcomed.
Would you go now? With a friend?
Shake the dust off your feet if they don’t accept you. Don’t even take the dust from their floor if they do not want to hear of my love. I wonder how many of us take this to heart and are ready to run when the heat goes up just a bit. We see the slightest hint of trouble and we are ready to turn tail and run.
God gives us strength and love to stand in the midst of our enemies. In Psalm 23 we ask for God to prepare a table in the midst of our enemies, so we can eat with them. Jesus ate with Judas and washed his feet!
We should be able to stand in the midst of those who do not want to hear about the love God has for them and still tell them God loves them.
Let us share the love we have been given so all may come to see and know the love of God.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 