Ordinary? In God’s eyes, that makes you perfect!
TEXT: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20. Read it here.
Ordinary people fill the stories in the Bible. Abraham, Ezekiel, Peter — God called each one of them for a mission. But their heroic powers didn’t come from themselves. Those abilities came from God. God gave them to each person, as needed to fill God’s work.
Sending out ordinary people to do God’s work forms a central part of our identities as Christians. Today’s story tells about Jesus sending out 70 followers to spread the good news of God’s love for all people. They formed an advance team to prepare the soil for Jesus’ message.
This story gives us a glimpse of what it means for us to prepare the way for Jesus in our world. It is Jesus who changes people, not us. Jesus opens hearts and minds, making faith possible. We provide the relationship that Jesus uses to inspire faith in others. Our faces become the face of Jesus for others.
We have a lot of work to do. Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers is few.” Jesus wants to reach out and touch all people. No one gets left out! But Jesus asks us to form the conduit for his presence. In relationships, person to person, others experience the presence of God.
Jesus warns this work can be tough. But being ordinary puts us in good company. Jesus promises God’s Holy Spirit gives us power. And, Jesus himself walks there beside us!
Prayer for Ordinary Followers
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, you are the city that shelters us, the mother who comforts us. With your Spirit accompany us on our life’s journey, that we may spread your peace in all the world, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
— ELCA Lectionary, Year B
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia! Let the peace of Christ rule | in your hearts,* and let the word of Christ dwell | in you richly. Alleluia.
— ELCA Lectionary, Year B (Col. 3:15, 16)