Traveling Light

Today’s reading is from Luke 10, continuing our series of readings from Luke as Jesus moves toward Jerusalem. In this passage, Jesus sends out seventy disciples in pairs to deliver the gospel. As believers and baptized Christians we are all in mission, and this passage can give us some direction for that. That Jesus sends out seventy, not just the twelve, is indicative of the discipleship of everyone. They are sent by pairs, so that no one goes alone. His instructions underscore the urgency, and they also are told to enter in peace, not with judgment or condemnation for the practices of that household. They are to tend to the health and well-being of both body and soul of the people they encounter. Ultimately they are to be messengers that the kingdom of God is near.