July 4th - Reflection

Time after Pentecost - Lectionary 14
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 (NRSV)
Jesus sends out seventy disciples

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. 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. 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. Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house!' And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. 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. 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.' But 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.' ...

"Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me."

The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Reflection
The Children of God have power. They have a power that does not come from themselves, but a power that wells up within themselves. They have a power resident in their souls that came from above and took flesh on this earth. They have a power that was born here, lived and was crucified here on this earth, arose from the dead and lives forever. They have a power in the Spirit of God that permeates the world in which they live. The Children of God have a power of joy; because their names are already written in heaven. This frees the Children of God to serve in all boldness and joy.

There is a time not to rejoice in this power. Once the Children of God get the idea that this is their power that has come from them, they have been deceived. Today we live with this awesome power, but we also live with the power of the devil. We must focus on Jesus and the coming of his Kingdom into our world. If this is welcomed, well and good, if not, the power of the devil can overtake both you and the listeners.

God has provided the truth in the life of Jesus. We are the messengers to all the world to tell of this truth. Take it or leave it...this is the truth. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Send me Lord...in the boldness of joy I go, knowing all you have done...I go equipped with Word and Spirit and Church...correct me when I am in error...encourage me when I delight you...but send me I pray. --- Amen