Luke 10:1-12 NRSVue
1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2He 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. 3Go on your way; I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ 6And if a person of peace is there, your peace will rest on that person, but if not, it will return to you. 7Remain 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. 8Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’, 10But 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.’, 12I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.
“Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”
Reflection on Luke 10:1-12
Inspiration from 2026-10-01 Daily Prayer
When Jesus sent out his troops on their missionary explorations, he knew that the receptions they were likely to receive would vary considerably. Some would be charmed with how they were accepted, whilst others would be appalled. Those on assignment were to let people know that God was very close to them; Christ knew that the disciples would need to have had that experience for themselves if they were to have any effect on their listeners. How effective have I been in getting that message across?
Further reflection
Jesus, you came as one bringing peace, and told us to greet people with a word of peace, not hostility, or judgment. May your blessing flow through me, so that when I leave people, they may feel approved of, contented and tranquil.
There's something in this bit of the gospel about being single-minded in the service of the Lord. Where you find a good place to spread the word, you stay there. You move on if there is no openness. Our big message is that the kingdom of God is very near. This nearness is in the person of Jesus. God's reign of love and justice is near to us when we are closely in touch with the Lord Jesus.
A harvest can be ruined by a lack of workers. A field full of fruit can go to waste when there are not enough people to pick the fruit. The world is the harvest of God where his love and his word are sown. Without the followers of Jesus, the word is unspoken and even the love of God is unrecognised. Prayer can increase our desire to spread the word and love of Jesus Christ in our immediate surroundings.
These instructions of Jesus seem to be about being single-minded in his service. We put trust in him rather than in having spares of everything or by depending on money. Prayer and service, love of others and of the poor, bring the kingdom near in word and deed.
The Lord had his helpers - people went before him to announce he was coming. The kingdom of God is never spread on one's own. As a community we listen to the word of God and respond. Team work is the way forward for any Christian community. Prayer helps us recognise the gifts and talents of everyone, and the dignity of each of us in the sight of God.