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Renewal of the Church (Hoodos Eetho)
Luke
10:1-9
V.1 After 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.
The Renewal of the church in Syriac is called Hoodos
Eetho. This is an important ecclesiological feast. Jesus appointed
seventy other disciples and sent them in pairs to every town and place
where He himself intended to go. ‘Seventy’ also has an Old Testament
connection. Moses had selected seventy men to help him in the wilderness
(Num 11:16,17,24,25). Membership in the Sanhedrin was seventy. Beyond
that, it is said that it was to be the number of nations in the world.
The universalistic view of Luke is well expressed here.
What is our commitment to the church? In relationships, we
commit ourselves to another person over a long period of time through
conflict, joy, misunderstanding, happiness, and change. As a worshipping
community, are we related to one another, to God or to the world?
1. They were related to each other
They were sent in pairs because they were not trained,
they could support one another and be a comfort to each other in times of
persecution. The mission of the kingdom is done in fellowship. In John
13:34-35 there is the symbol of the living church and it is in fellowship
and caring. This kind of a fellowship and caring is vitally needed in a
culture which is tending to be a self – centered society.
2. They related to God
V.3 indicates the risk of the task. The missionaries are
like the lambs. There is a possibility of danger that the wolves may tear
apart the lambs. They have to face different circumstance in their life.
God’s servants are always in some sense at the mercy of the world, and in
their own strength they cannot cope with the situation in which they find
themselves. Jesus tells them not to have any worldly objects for support,
but they must look to God and go. God alone is our strength.
3. They related to the world.
V.5 When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this
house’. Jesus entrusted to them not a wider ministry. They were asked to go
to only specific places. Any house they entered they had to impart peace
to them. Christ’s disciples must be harbingers of peace. They have
to impart peace and bring peace to the world.
St. Francis was born and brought up in the town of Assisi in Italy. He
became a member of a monastic community there and lived an ascetic life.
One day, Francis invited a young monk in the monastery to go with him to
town and preach. The young man was very delighted that this great soul
selected him to accompany him. Both walked through the various paths in
that small town for quite some time through the various important places
and junctions. Through another way as they were returning to the main
entrance of the monastery, the young monk became very sad and told Francis,
“Father, we went to town to preach, but you have forgotten to preach”.
Then Francis replied, “Son, we have been preaching all the time. Our look
and attitude to others throughout our walk, our eyes and other
expressions were our preaching this day. And it is no use, Son, to go
anywhere and preach, unless we preach everywhere as we walk”.
Let us realize that our lives are powerful witnesses incessantly. Let us
become a true mark of a living church.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Be a mark of a Living Church
PRAYER
Dear God, mold us as your true disciples, so
that we can be a sign for your kingdom. Amen.
Rev. Sonu Varughese, Cross Way MTC
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