Sunday Readings: Isaiah 66.19-14; Galatians 6.14-18; Luke 10.1-9
“Jesus appointed 72 other missionaries and sent them in pairs ahead of him to every town and place he intended to visit.” – Luke 10.1
Jesus asks of new disciples the same radical, itinerant way of life he models on the way to Jerusalem. His followers will have no place to lay their heads, no duties more important than preaching the gospel and bringing its healing power among the people, and no family ties deeper than the faith that unifies those who believe in Jesus and do God’s will. Jesus advises no walking staff, no traveling bag, no sandals, no visiting along the way. A disciple cannot posses much less than this. However, Jesus’ rules presume local communities of Christians that welcome the radical, itinerant missionaries. The greeting, “Peace to this house, is the test. Missionaries stay with anyone who reciprocates the greeting.
Who brought the good news of God’s nearness to you? To whom has you handed it on?
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