Daily Lectionary: Ecclesiastes 8:1-17, John 9:1-23

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Our Gospel lesson this week unfolds in the most beautiful fashion. Jesus had been teaching and healing, but then He saw just how bad things were–these crowds were like sheep without a shepherd. He immediately had compassion on them…He was moved to act on their behalf. But pay close attention to Jesus’ observation and instructions to His disciples: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray…” He doesn’t say that “the harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few, so GO!” Prayer comes first. In prayer, we acknowledge that God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. If there is a task ahead of us, we do well to start with prayer. 

And no sooner than Jesus instructed them to pray–He answered that very prayer by sending them out! This sending, sanctified by prayer, was given to the twelve…and it’s not the kind of sending most of us would’ve expected. Stay away from the Gentiles and Samaritans. Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and tell them that the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. These were the ears and hearts who should’ve been eagerly expecting the Messiah to bring God’s Kingdom into their midst! 

Before the Gospel would be proclaimed to the ends of the earth, it would be preached in Jerusalem and Judea first. Jesus moves from the target audience to the task—you know, just the usual stuff—healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing lepers, casting out demons. Did He say raising the dead?! I’m not sure the disciples were ready for this kind of an assignment! And if all this weren’t enough, what happens next seems downright reckless! He instructs them to leave behind extra provisions for the trip. Don’t accept gifts along the way, don’t take a bag, don’t bring a change of clothes. Go and stay in the first house you enter. If no one will listen to you, shake the dust of that town off of your feet as a witness of judgment against them. 

But then, Jesus makes one final pronouncement to these disciples whom He is “apostling” (sending): “I’m sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves…” Jesus is sending them AWAY from Him, the Good Shepherd, into wolf-infested territory! But the Holy Spirit speaks for them; He strengthens their faith. Your faith today is evidence that Jesus was faithful—and will be forever!. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.