Sent

Luke 10:1-20 (The Message)

Later the Master selected seventy and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. He gave them this charge:

"What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands.

"On your way! But be careful—this is hazardous work. You're like lambs in a wolf pack.

"Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage.

"Don't loiter and make small talk with everyone you meet along the way.

"When you enter a home, greet the family, 'Peace.' If your greeting is received, then it's a good place to stay. But if it's not received, take it back and get out. Don't impose yourself.

"Stay at one home, taking your meals there, for a worker deserves three square meals. Don't move from house to house, looking for the best cook in town.

"When you enter a town and are received, eat what they set before you, heal anyone who is sick, and tell them, 'God's kingdom is right on your doorstep!'

"When you enter a town and are not received, go out in the street and say, 'The only thing we got from you is the dirt on our feet, and we're giving it back. Did you have any idea that God's kingdom was right on your doorstep?' Sodom will have it better on Judgment Day than the town that rejects you.

"Doom, Chorazin! Doom, Bethsaida! If Tyre and Sidon had been given half the chances given you, they'd have been on their knees long ago, repenting and crying for mercy. Tyre and Sidon will have it easy on Judgment Day compared to you.

"And you, Capernaum! Do you think you're about to be promoted to heaven? Think again. You're on a mudslide to hell.

"The one who listens to you, listens to me. The one who rejects you, rejects me. And rejecting me is the same as rejecting God, who sent me."

The seventy came back triumphant. "Master, even the demons danced to your tune!"

Jesus said, "I know. I saw Satan fall, a bolt of lightning out of the sky. See what I've given you? Safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions, and protection from every assault of the Enemy. No one can put a hand on you. All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God's authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you—that's the agenda for rejoicing."

In this passage of scripture, Jesus sends 70 faithful disciples out to do his work of spreading the message.

And what he gives them is a mighty tall order.

Go --- don't worry about taking care of yourself. Depend on the hospitality of others. Proclaim the message, even if it means telling people things they don't want to hear.

You'll be exposed, perhaps rejected, ridiculed and vulnerable.

But go -- the kingdom depends on disciples like you who proclaim the message.

And so...they went. For "Chorazin...and...Bethsaida...and...Capernaum." And because Jesus told them to go.

What happened?

Success!

They seem astounded that the message was received.

Amazing things do happen when we go...faithfully...wherever we've been sent.

Jesus is not surprised. He's seen it all before, and knows what's possible when disciples choose to trust God.

And, these amazing kinds of unexpected miracles, the ones that happen right in the midst of everyday business....the ones that happen when we show up: they're the real reason for joy.

Not what we do for God, but what God does for us. That's the agenda for rejoicing.

Prayer: Father God, may we experience your grace in our "showing up" today. We hope to answer your call, whatever it might be...and that in going, we would experience your power and protection.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.