Jesus Should Come

Today’s Gospel Text:  After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come. 2 And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house!' 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; 9 heal the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off against you; nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.' 12 I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on that day for Sodom than for that town. Luke 10:1-12

Reflection: Many think that the only way to serve the Lord means to take his place or represent him to them.

Hence many will behave like lords unlike our Lord, and lord it over his flocks or there could be some who behave like lords even if they are not in power and positions.

There are some who have their own way of going about life, with their mindset which believes that giving people a good rational understanding of the faith would solve their problems.

Some even take this thought a little too far and give people a sound piece of advice in the sure hope that they will be able to sort out their problems; so they would have awareness exercises and motivational techniques to help sort out their problems.

There is very little encouragement to depend on  the Lord for wisdom, knowledge, understanding and grace or in simple terms, very little motivation to trust in the Lord to overcome the challenges of life.

So we will recommend ‘better yourself books’ and agony aunties advices in  order to help people solve their problem, as if their rational motivational techniques are going to solve their problems perfectly.

They may help but will never be a help from the eternal perspective of which man is an important  element.

Hence, even though the disciples are sent out in his name to work through signs and wonders with effective preaching, yet it seemed it was not enough.

There would be all the wonders and signs of their action but it would not be enough or rather it is never enough if the Lord himself would not complete the process with his very presence.

If disciples are sent then it is not just to heal and deliver or work mighty signs and wonders or draw them closer to themselves but to prepare the place or the hearts of peoples to receive JESUS too.

Therefore the scripture text reveals to us that he sent them to places ‘where he himself was about to come.’ (vs. 1)

Prayer:  Lord, in all the healings and miracles that I have experienced, may I never forget that without your presence in me I am lost forever.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us