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READING

In today’s video, Pastor Jim Cymbala reminds us that the seventy-two people Jesus sent out were ordinary people. “They definitely didn’t go to seminary. They weren’t ordained. They never are mentioned by name in the Bible. They weren’t one of the original twelve…” yet, they were known and valued by Jesus. In fact, they were given an evangelistic mission and the miraculous power to accomplish it (v. 17).

Today’s reading ends with harsh words from Jesus. While we know that Jesus is loving and compassionate, this story reveals that there is no room for evil within the kingdom of God. Jesus will, someday, bring punishment to those to deny their creator (v. 15).

However, there is more to this story than just Jesus’s angry side. This story reveals that Jesus knew the local area well and served God within it. The towns Jesus pronounces woe upon—Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum—were villages within about three miles of one another. Matthew 11:20 reveals that these were the towns where “most of his miracles had been performed.” (Read Matthew 11:20-24 for the full story.)

Jesus didn’t travel far to do the work of God. If anyone could’ve travelled the world and met with the most influential people of the day, surely it would’ve been the Son of God with all his power. Yet, Jesus spent most of his time, and performed most of his miracles, in local villages not far from where he grew up. Jesus took the power, wisdom, and love of God that he was brimming with to his neighbors. Then he sent an untrained group of ordinary people out to do the same.

You are part of a local community. Even with technology connecting you to family and co-workers far and wide, you are still part of a local community too. Your neighborhood. The convenience store down the street. The place where you get your haircut. Your local grocer. You are like one of the seventy-two, an ordinary person in a local community which God has blessed with a mission and the power to accomplish it. Jesus invested his time in the people nearest him. What will you do for the people near you?

REFLECTION

What is something you can do for the people in your local community?

How does your view of Jesus change, knowing that he performed most of his miracles in a handful of local towns?

Read Revelation 19:11-21 for John’s vision of the day Jesus will bring judgment to those who deny God.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, thank you for bringing the love and power of God to local towns. Thank you for loving ordinary people like me. Use me to make a difference in my community. Help me to love and serve others with your wisdom and power. Amen.