Devotion • October 22
Today’s Scripture Reading
Luke 10:1–12, 17–20
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.
The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (NRSV)
Reflection
Can you hear Jesus commissioning apostles, emissaries of faith, sending them to spread Christianity. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few — lots of work to be done to reconcile humanity, for sure.
I imagine being sandal-clad among the group, kind of anxious with excitement, listening to the timber of his voice, “Go demonstrate your faith, purport yourself as my disciple, lean into the experience, connect with strangers, depend on God to provide.”
In his sending, like the end of every church service, I listen to the benediction as a commission to go out into the world to demonstrate the love of God to all creation, not allowing the world’s push-back to be a full stop. Jesus tells us, “Shake the dust off your feet.” Carry on. Keep planting the seeds of faith. Find fertile ground.
Also, what struck me in the passage is the pairing up. I think it’s about ensuring physical safety and encouraging the value of partnering and growing kinship. In Jesus’ day and in ours, going it alone can be risky business, figuratively and literally. In most any situation, we’re stronger together. And it brings to mind what Jesus said commissioning apostles in Matthew, “where two or more are gathered in my name, I am there with you.” It’s a further assurance of spiritual strength, connecting heaven and earth, past and present.
I ask myself; how do I be a disciple in a dispassionate world? Despite every challenge, the earth is God’s marvelous creation. I pray I may join, collaborate with and learn from others to be a courageous, compassionate and positive example of faith.
Prayer
In service to you, God, I go into the world today, walking the road of saints, connecting with others in kinship. As a steward of the earth, may I help raise sight lines, fill hearts, serve justice, and give thanks to God who calls us all to be disciples. Amen.
Inspired by Today We Are Called to Be Disciples of the Lord
Written by Laura Sterkel, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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