Luke 10:1-11
1 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. 2 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. 3 Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ 6 And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. 7 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. 8 Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9 cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘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.’ ”
“… See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. …”
When Jesus sends his disciples out to prepare the towns and villages of ancient Israel for his coming, he holds no illusions that the way will be easy. Instead, he offers them the above warning. Those sent will be like lambs going into the midst of wolves. In other words, prepare to be treated with hostility, animosity, abuse, and perhaps even violence. Not a pretty picture.
Still, they went and were unapologetic about proclaiming the Gospel. Speaking endeared them to some and aggravated others. They were not to expect a rousing welcome by all. They knew that some would not only reject them but ridicule and treat them harshly. All because they proclaimed the Word of life.
On this day, as we celebrate the birth of our nation, we remember that those who signed the Declaration of Independence were radicals, challenging the great authorities of their time, and putting their lives on the line. Had America lost the war, they would have been killed as traitors.
Yet they went forth, speaking the truth of liberty to power.
Today, Christians continue to be called to proclaim the Gospel – that the hungry may be fed, the homeless given shelter, the sick healed, the stranger welcomed, and the poor and needy (orphans and widows) be cared for. Such talk is exceeding unpopular in our current climate when the focus seems to be in the opposite direction. Yet, it is the Gospel, and like those seventy sent out by Jesus, we need to be prepared to be like lambs going out into the midst of wolves.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, as you sent out the seventy to proclaim the Gospel, You send out all Your followers. Count me among those who are willing to go and challenge the world with Your Word. Amen.