Sunday Reflection – July 3, 2022

 

Old Rejections And New Followers

Luke 10 Later the Lord chose 70 other followers and sent them out two by two to every town and village where he was about to go.  He said to them:

A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers. Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in.  Now go, but remember, I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves.  Don’t take along a moneybag or a traveling bag or sandals. And don’t waste time greeting people on the road. As soon as you enter a home, say, “God bless this home with peace.” If the people living there are peace-loving, your prayer for peace will bless them. But if they are not peace-loving, your prayer will return to you.  Stay with the same family, eating and drinking whatever they give you, because workers are worth what they earn. Don’t move around from house to house.

If the people of a town welcome you, eat whatever they offer. Heal their sick and say, “God’s kingdom will soon be here!”

10  But if the people of a town refuse to welcome you, go out into the street and say, 11 “We are shaking the dust from our feet as a warning to you. And you can be sure that God’s kingdom will soon be here!” 

16  My followers, whoever listens to you is listening to me. Anyone who says “No” to you is saying “No” to me. And anyone who says “No” to me is really saying “No” to the one who sent me.

17 When the 70 followers returned, they were excited and said, “Lord, even the demons obeyed when we spoke in your name!”

18 Jesus told them:

I saw ha satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19  I have given you the power to trample on snakes and scorpions and to defeat the power of your enemy ha satan. Nothing can harm you. 20 But don’t be happy because evil spirits obey you. Be happy that your names are written in heaven!

Performed by Margaret Whisselle

Kids Korner: Jesus sends out 70 evangelists (July 3rd)

Read Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 with your family.

We tend to focus on the 12 disciples that Jesus sent out to spread the news of the Gospel, and forget that before Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, he had sent out 70 people in pairs, to tell others about God’s message.

Unlike the 12 named apostles, we hear exactly the instructions Jesus gave these 70 evangelists: accept all hospitality, don’t push yourself on people who don’t want you, don’t take extra stuff to ensure your comfort, don’t take money, remember that your message is my message… God’s message.

All 70 came back and celebrated the experience. The number 70 was special – in the first century they believed there was 70 nations in the world, so by sending 70 people, Jesus was signalling to his followers that God’s message was for everyone in every nation.

We can learn from these 70 how Jesus wants us to share the message of God’s love, and the first thing we have to do is assure people that we bring peace.