耶稣差遣七十二个跟随祂的人，出去治病和传扬 “神的国临近了” 的好消息，祂警戒他们，虽然有些人和有些城镇会乐意接待他们，却不是每一个人都明白并接受他们带来的好消息的。
神的国那颠覆的特质，并不是每个人都接受得到的，尤其我们的社会是那么重视强壮、权力、独立，却蔑视软弱、无助、倚赖。
那七十二个人欢欢喜喜地回来，他们非常兴奋，因为他们得着能力为耶稣作工。他们说：“主啊！因你的名，就是鬼也服了我们的。” 路加记载说，当时耶稣也充满喜乐。祂感谢神，因为神的国是这么有意思的，甚至小孩子比聪明通达的人更容易接受它。
如果你一直以为自己的信心不够强壮也不够成熟，你大可以放心，因为耶稣珍惜像小孩子那种卑微及倚赖的信心。如果你担心自己没有足够的知识或经历，你也可以放心，因为耶稣会赐智慧给那些仍未完全明白的人。耶稣宣告的信息就是，不管你是谁， “神的国临近你们了。”
父啊，感谢祢，因为祢那和平及恩典的国度已经临近，甚至临到像我这样软弱及不配的人。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。
路加福音 10:1-11, 17-21
1这事以后，主又设立七十个人，差遣他们两个两个地在他前面，往自己所要到的各城各地方去，
2就对他们说：“要收的庄稼多，做工的人少。所以，你们当求庄稼的主打发工人出去收他的庄稼。
3你们去吧！我差你们出去，如同羊羔进入狼群。
4不要带钱囊，不要带口袋，不要带鞋；在路上也不要问人的安。
5无论进哪一家，先要说：‘愿这一家平安。’
6那里若有当得平安的人当得平安的人：原文是平安之子，你们所求的平安就必临到那家；不然，就归与你们了。
7你们要住在那家，吃喝他们所供给的，因为工人得工价是应当的；不要从这家搬到那家。
8无论进哪一城，人若接待你们，给你们摆上什么，你们就吃什么。
9要医治那城里的病人，对他们说：‘神的国临近你们了。’
10无论进哪一城，人若不接待你们，你们就到街上去，
11说：‘就是你们城里的尘土黏在我们的脚上，我们也当着你们擦去。虽然如此，你们该知道神的国临近了。’
17那七十个人欢欢喜喜地回来，说：“主啊！因你的名，就是鬼也服了我们。”
18耶稣对他们说：“我曾看见撒但从天上坠落，像闪电一样。
19我已经给你们权柄可以践踏蛇和蝎子，又胜过仇敌一切的能力，断没有什么能害你们。
20然而，不要因鬼服了你们就欢喜，要因你们的名记录在天上欢喜。”
21正当那时，耶稣被圣灵感动就欢乐，说：“父啊，天地的主，我感谢你！因为你将这些事向聪明通达人就藏起来，向婴孩就显出来。父啊！是的，因为你的美意本是如此。
"Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children.'" — Luke 10:21
Jesus sent out 72 followers to heal the sick and spread the good news that “the kingdom of God has come near.” He warned them that while some people and towns would welcome them with joy, not everyone would understand or receive the good news they brought.
The upside-down nature of God’s kingdom can be hard for people to accept, especially when society values the strong, powerful, and independent over the weak, helpless, and dependent of our world.
When the 72 followers returned, they were pleased and excited that they had been given power to do Jesus’ work. They said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name!” Luke reports that Jesus was also filled with joy. He praised God for the way the kingdom is more readily received by little children than the wise and learned.
If you think you should be further along in strength or maturity of faith, take comfort. Jesus treasures all who receive him in humble, trusting faith, like children. If you worry that you don’t know enough or haven’t had enough experience, take comfort. Jesus gives wisdom to his children who don’t have it all figured out. The message Jesus declares is that no matter who you are, “the kingdom of God has come near to you.”
Thank you, Father, that your kingdom of peace and grace has come near to even me. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳