Luke 10:1-4
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.”
Reflection
Jesus taught his disciples that there were many people who were ready to receive the message of the gospel. He was showing them that anyone who follows him is concerned that Jesus’ good news is taken to other people. Jesus instructs them to pray that more and more workers would be sent out to spread the good news. Then before Jesus sends the disciples out, he gives them instructions on what to take with them and how to interact with people they meet while they are on the way to the place they are to do ministry.
Jesus was showing his disciples how they were to live out his ways and how they were to share the way of Jesus with others. He was offering them supervision and direction.
When we disciple others in the way of Jesus we need to spend time with them and show them and teach them how a disciple lives. It is also important to show a new disciple how they are to share the good news of Jesus with others. Spreading the message of Jesus is their responsibility as well.
When new disciples come into the life of the church, how often do we spend time with them to help them know how to live in the way of Jesus? How often do we just leave them on their own?
