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. “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
Jesus sent out the 72 and told them to spread the good news about God. He told them that they would receive both good receptionns, which they should accept; and bad ones which they should leave behind them and not worry about. I don't often share what it's like for me as a christian minister in the world. I have mostly good responses to me and the work I do; in fact 99% of the response is loving and positive. But there are some who respond in way which causes me pain and which I take to heart. Today I'm reminded that I should leave those feelings behind me and keep moving on in Jesus' love in His work.
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