SCRIPTURE: Luke 10 

KEY POINTS TO PONDER: Beyond taking up our cross daily, as we saw in the last chapter, living for Jesus puts us on a path of a beautiful adventure. We are called to proclaim his name and bring the freedom and healing of Jesus to others. Jesus sends us out together, and the word “send” here literally means to toss or to throw something out forcefully. Jesus gives us clear instructions here to go out and do what he commanded. It is in a child-like posture in which we go out. The Parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us that we are to show mercy. While being busy and productive are good things, there is infinite value in taking time to sit at Jesus’ feet. 

CHALLENGING TERMS: In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the identity of the characters each hold certain meanings. A priest would have been seen as a holy example of God to those who Jesus told this story to, and the Levite (a member of the tribe of Levi who assisted the priests) would have been expected to have similar good qualities. But the Samaritans were seen as worthless, ungodly people to the Jews, and to set the Samaritan as the example of a good and loving neighbor would have been unthinkable. It showed that loving one’s neighbor means loving and caring for even those we wouldn’t easily love. 

REFLECTION: Just as Jesus sent the disciple out so he sends us out. To whom may Jesus be sending you to in order to share good news about him? 

PRAYER: Father, thank you that you send me out to make disciples. Please empower me and guide me in going out to make Jesus’ name known.