Daily Readings - Thu Sep 30 2021
Nehemiah
1And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.2And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.3And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.4And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.5And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:6And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.7Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.8So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.9And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.10Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.11So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.12And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
Luke
1After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.2Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.3Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.4Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.5And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.6And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.7And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.8And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:9And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.10But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,11Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.12But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful moments of communal gathering and mission. In Nehemiah, the people assemble to hear Ezra read the law, leading them from tears of repentance to a celebration of God's joy. This scene, set in the context of rebuilding Jerusalem, highlights the transformative power of God's Word, turning sorrow into strength through communal celebration. In Luke, Jesus sends out 72 disciples to prepare for his arrival, emphasizing trust in God's provision and the urgency of spreading the kingdom's message. Despite the challenges, the focus remains on the joy of the Gospel.
Both readings underscore the importance of community and mission. In Nehemiah, the community comes together to listen and be transformed, then shares that joy. In Luke, the disciples are sent out to bring peace and healing, embodying the kingdom's presence. This dual focus on gathering and sending reflects the Christian life's rhythm—listening to God's Word and then sharing it with the world.
The moral lesson here is that encountering God's Word should transform us, bringing us from repentance to joy. This joy then compels us to share it with others, trusting in God's strength and provision. As we go out into the world, we carry the peace and healing of the kingdom, undeterred by rejection, knowing that our mission is rooted in God's love and joy.