Luke 10: 1-11, 16-20 (New Revised Standard Version)

When the disciples put their trust in Jesus, they risked rejection from the people they wanted to convert. If that happens, Jesus tells them to go out into the streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that clings to your feet, we will wipe off in protest against you.” In our current political climate protests have re-emerged as a strategy for change.

When we think of Jesus’ followers, often we think there were only 12 apostles, but actually there were more. This story speaks of the 70 that Jesus sent out. It was a type of training time while Jesus was still with them. Their mission was the same as Jesus’ mission, cure the sick and say to them, the Kingdom of God has come close to you.

Jesus describes the 70 apostles’ ministry as part of bringing the end of satan’s influence and power. Jesus tells the disciples this kind of power and protection goes to his apostles.

Now there is some confusion because the Bible translations differ. One translation says 70 apostles and others say 72 apostles. I’m sticking with the 70 apostles because it flows better with biblical history. One is, Moses chose 70 Elders to lead Israel (Numbers 11: 16-20). The Sanhedrin, the supreme council of the Jews, had 70 members. And during biblical times, it was believed 70 was the number of all nations that existed. So you can see why it was logical for Jesus to use the number 70.

So what did Jesus really see when he saw satan fall like lightning? Well, it was not a literal satan with horns and a red face. Jesus was using metaphor after seeing something mystical. For Jesus it was a sign of victory and success for the apostles in their mission. What began in the desert now leads Jesus to Jerusalem and the Cross.

Jesus’ advice to the apostles during their missionary work was to “go light.” In our present era we would say, “don’t let stuff get in your way and avoid conflict within your ministry. Once you find like-minded people, work with them.

Jesus only tells the apostles what they should do, or not do and don’t try to measure their success. If people don’t accept Jesus’ message, it’s time for some dust shaking.

That reminder is important, especially when the mission becomes hard to accomplish. This is why many have by-passed the difficult call that Jesus makes. Most people don’t want to be lambs in the midst of wolves. People do not like the idea of being uncomfortable and without the ability to provide for themselves. It is a pride-breaker for many.

But yet, how joyful are the results of being part of God’s Kingdom. The risk of vulnerability is met with provisions from people of peace, and being part of a community of sharing. It is a form of egalitarianism which the early Christians practiced. Read Acts chapter four verses 32-35.

The difficult part of all of this, is that we won’t know the truth of the promises until we are physically involved in Jesus’ mission. The promise of protection and divine power fully comes when we become part of the heavens coming down to earth.

When we consider the lives of those people who are strong in faith, there is no doubt they have faced “hurt” both mentally or physically. But that “hurt” has not ended their faith. We should pray to become more like the “great cloud of witnesses,” trusting the Holy Spirit drawing all of us closer to Jesus, as we pray for all gospel workers.

Being sent in the name of someone with authority and power, used to feel like reading a historical story. Envoys were sent to collect taxes from peasants, generals leading an army were also paid by taxes. And that same general came to houses to conscript their sons for war. Resisting these three examples could lead to jail or worse.

Perhaps Americans have been naive to these practices in the modern world. However some Americans are beginning to get a taste of what power in the hands of the wrong people can do. Look what happened earlier this year. Many well-trained employees of the Department of Government Efficiency, also called “DOGE,” were fired for no good reason. Long time cabinet secretaries were terminated and replaced with people who were clueless. Knowledge was not a priority with them, only loyalty to one person got them into DOGE. As the Prophet Amos said, “Hate Evil and love good and establish justice at the gate.” That is what we should be doing now on state and federal buildings! 

Unlike others, we as Christians should have higher standards. We should continue to hold the power of Christ for the good of the world. Are those today holding all the power in America acting like Jesus and his teachings? What does it reflect on us as Christians if we bury our heads in the sand like the German Christians did during the 1930s and 1940s? Greedy evil and racist people have been unleashed to do satan’s work in America. God help us.

In closing I’m quoting St.Teresa Avila who lived from 1515 to 1585. She was a Spanish mystic and religious reformer. Let us pray.

“Christ has no body on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ looks out to the world. Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which he is to bless others now.” AMEN.