Feb 7 - Reflecting Christ

Read Luke 10:1-12

Context: Since the twelve were sent out to preach the good news, many things have happened. Jesus has fed the 5000; Peter has confessed that Jesus is the Christ; Peter, John, and James have witnessed the transfiguration of Christ; and the disciples have argued about who would be the best among them. Jesus has explained to them and to other followers that there is a high price for following him.

Text:
1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two[a] others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
5"When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' 6If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. 7Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
8"When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. 9Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.' 10But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11'Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.' 12I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. (NIV)

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Jesus is widening his circle of influence. He is now comfortable that many more people are able to share the gospel and heal the sick. This time there are no instructions about which people to talk to -- apparently they are to talk to anyone they see in the towns they visit. He is sending them out ahead; their words and actions will be an introduction to the truth that is about to be present in their town.

Every day we are given the same opportunity. We are merely a reflection of what is to come. Some days my 'mirror' is pretty poor, like those mirrors in park bathrooms that are really just a sheet of polished steel. Other days it's better, more like an antique that is scratched and fuzzy, but if you look just right you can see a partial reflection. I pray that today, and everyday, my ability to reflect Christ will be like a brand new dance studio mirror - or even a dreaded 360 mirror. I want people to see him coming from all directions!