Sunday 4th July - 5th after Trinity (green)
Theme: Sowing and reaping
Readings: Galatians 6:7-16
2 Kings 5:1-14 Luke 10:1-11,16-20 Ps 60:1-8
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Theme: Sowing and reaping
Readings: Galatians 6:7-16
2 Kings 5:1-14 Luke 10:1-11,16-20 Ps 60:1-8
Collect:
Almighty God,
send down upon your Church
the riches of your Spirit,
and kindle in all who minister the gospel
your countless gifts of grace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Almighty God,
send down upon your Church
the riches of your Spirit,
and kindle in all who minister the gospel
your countless gifts of grace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Comment
Sometimes Jesus calls his followers to go in front of him to prepare the way! That was the mission of the seventy-two (or seventy, according to some versions). These were ‘others’ – they were not apostles, but ordinary disciples like us.
The task was urgent – the harvest would not wait. Long greetings would cause delay.
The task was not easy – they were lambs sent among wolves! Jesus anticipated opposition, and told them what to do when it happened. But he also told them to look for a receptive place to start – a place of ‘peace’, where people were open to harmony and wholeness rather than wanting to use force to bring about justice and freedom. The true Messiah was coming as prince of peace, not to overthrow the Roman overlords. Once they had found that place, that was to be their base, however inconvenient.
The task required faith. Faithful prayer to the Lord of the harvest to provide workers, first. Faith in God’s provision for their own needs – so no money or luggage was needed, and they were to be satisfied with whatever food was provided. Faith in Jesus’ message about the kingdom, and in his power to demonstrate its nature by healing the sick through their hands.
The task was successful – beyond their expectation! But their relationship with God was the real cause of joy.
Sometimes Jesus calls his followers to go in front of him to prepare the way! That was the mission of the seventy-two (or seventy, according to some versions). These were ‘others’ – they were not apostles, but ordinary disciples like us.
The task was urgent – the harvest would not wait. Long greetings would cause delay.
The task was not easy – they were lambs sent among wolves! Jesus anticipated opposition, and told them what to do when it happened. But he also told them to look for a receptive place to start – a place of ‘peace’, where people were open to harmony and wholeness rather than wanting to use force to bring about justice and freedom. The true Messiah was coming as prince of peace, not to overthrow the Roman overlords. Once they had found that place, that was to be their base, however inconvenient.
The task required faith. Faithful prayer to the Lord of the harvest to provide workers, first. Faith in God’s provision for their own needs – so no money or luggage was needed, and they were to be satisfied with whatever food was provided. Faith in Jesus’ message about the kingdom, and in his power to demonstrate its nature by healing the sick through their hands.
The task was successful – beyond their expectation! But their relationship with God was the real cause of joy.
Questions
1) What lessons are there here for us?
2) What is Jesus calling you to do?
1) What lessons are there here for us?
2) What is Jesus calling you to do?
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