Daily Readings - Thu Sep 30 2021
Nehemiah
1all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.2So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.3He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.4Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.5Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.6Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.7The Levites-Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah-instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there.8They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.9Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.10Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."11The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve."12Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.
Luke
1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two 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.
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.