COMING AND GOING II

Some thoughts from yesterday’s Journal on Coming and Going. I wrote: “All people bring joy: some by coming, some by going!” And also quoted Oscar Wilde who wrote: “Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.” There is wisdom in learning this.

When Jesus chose and sent out ‘the seventy’ (some versions say 72) in Luke 10:1-2:
“The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” After instructions on what to take with them as they ‘went out to the towns and places;’ he gave instructions about Coming and Going.

Jesus first mentions the Coming and Going of homes:
“Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you” (Luke 10:5-6). Then from the home to the Coming and Going of a city: “If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’ (Luke 10:8-11).

As regards to the Kingdom of God and the message of the Kingdom: If others want it, show and tell them about it. If not, go show and tell it to someone else. It is Coming or Going.

“Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.” Jesus