After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.
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Part of Jesus' ministry was to prepare the disciples to be sent and to serve. There were more than just the 12 apostles by this time. There were dozens more. They were sent in pairs and as lambs into the midst of wolves. Jesus knew that they would face the same kind of criticism and scepticism he was facing. Whether we are professional pulpit jockeys or teenager confirmands, we are on this road together. I was embarrassed recently by a video of a fellow minister of the Gospel chewing up his congregation as if he had some special authority to do so. Jesus did not send us as lone wolves to devour the lambs. Jesus sent us to work together with a spirit of sacrifice and service. This work is best done in community so that we can rejoice together, learn together, and experience God's love together.
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Lord, may we take care about what or who we eat today. Amen.