Now Jesus sent out 72 followers two by two saying "the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few... I am sending you like lambs among wolves... heal the sick... and shake the dust off your feet when rejected... but "the kingdom of God is near you" should be your message... and judgement will be ruthless like at Sodom for such towns that reject the Gospel. "He who listens to you listens to me"". So the 72 returned from mission with joy and thrilled that evil spirits submitted to them. However Jesus told them not to rejoice about that, but rather that their names are written in heaven. Then Jesus praised God for having revealed the truth to little children and he also rejoiced over his intimate relationship with God the Father. Then Jesus said to the disciples: "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see". Jesus was then tested by a legal expert as to "who is my neighbour?" after they had agreed that to inherit eternal life you should love God with everything and love your neighbour as yourself. To answer the query on "neighbour" Jesus told the Parable of the Good Samaritan in which a man was left half dead by robbers on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho. A priest came past and ignored the man. Next came a Levite who looked and avoided getting involved too. However then came a Samaritan who took pity on the man, bandaged his wounds, poured in oil and wine, and put him on his donkey and took him to an inn for him to be taken care of. He even paid for his care and promised to pay for any expenses incurred! Who was the neighbour? asked Jesus, and the legal expert replied: "The one who had mercy on him". Jesus then told him: "Go and do likewise". Finally Jesus and the disciples were cared for at Mary and Martha's house. Mary was enthralled by Jesus and sat at his feet listening to him. However Martha complained that Mary wasn't helping her with the work, but Jesus took Mary's side saying she had "chosen what was better".
No comments:
Post a Comment