Traveling light trusting God. Luke 10:1-19

Jesus sent 70 people out on a mission: to share some Good News that God's reign is at hand. As church we share their calling in the world. Jesus called these first 70 followers to pray for the Lord to send workers who would be part of the harvest.

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. Luke 10:2-4 NRSV

Some might say the world looks so different than it did in Jesus day. But need for people to go out into the world is still the same as it was when Jesus sent these 70 follower into the world. They went out with hope in a world where pain and grief were real for so many. Jesus followers today have this same invitation as church. We are invited to go into the fields like harvesters--we are sent into the world where pain and grief are so real with this promise of new life and new hope.

Sometimes I know that I have forgotten the churches calling to go--but truth is this calling has been here all along. Jesus didn't tell the 70 to build a sanctuary and wait until people came in. He told them to travel light. He asked them to go town by town. When they came to a new town the first thing they were called to do was declare peace. If their offer of peace was received they were to stay and share the news of the kingdom. Jesus told them simply,

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.’Luke 10:8-9 NRSV

They were sent out with Good News for all the world; and they were called to share the news one house and one town at time. The news they had to share was good news then and is so good today. God's kingdom isn't far away--it's near by/right at hand today.

Jesus told his followers to accept any welcome--but he he told them that they weren't just to expect a welcome every where they went. He told his friends to be ready for rejection.

...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.’ Luke 10:10-11 NRSV

The part of this story that gives me such hope is knowing the promise that the kingdom is close by right now. The part that frustrates me is knowing that not everyone will want to hear this news. As a pastor I look at this story and I see direction from God for us about how to be church right now. God has called the church, like these 70 early followers, to go into the world and meet people where they are.

We have a message to share that God's kingdom is close to us right now. And this news that God is near is the news our world most needs. Sinners, like me, need to know that God is near both because that means the hurt I cause others is known to God and because the forgiveness found in the death and resurrection of Jesus is near too.

Peace and thanks for reading,
John