Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

After these things, the Lord appointed other seventy-two followers who were sent out two by two before his face into every city and place where he himself was about to come.

The harvest is truly great, but there are few workers to gather it in; so they prayed that the Lord of the harvest would send out more laborers into his fields. Jesus said, "Go your ways: behold, I am sending you forth as lambs among wolves."

He instructed them not to take a purse or wallet or shoes and not to greet anyone on their way. Instead, whenever they entered a house, they were to say, "Peace be to this household." If the people of the house received them warmly and welcomed Jesus' message, his peace would rest on that home.

But if they didn't, it would return to the messengers. In that case, they were to stay in the same house, eating what was provided for them and drinking it, because a laborer is worthy of their hire. They weren't to go from house to house, begging for food or attention.

As they traveled, Jesus told them to heal the sick people they met along the way, saying to them, "The kingdom of God has drawn near to you." If anyone rejected them and refused to welcome Jesus' message, they were to leave the city and say, "Even the dust from your city that clings to us, we wipe off against you."

They knew that it would be more tolerable for Sodom on judgment day than for that city. Jesus warned the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida, saying that if he had performed his mighty works in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago.

It would be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the final reckoning than for those cities. Capernaum, which had been lifted up to heaven by Jesus' presence, would be cast down to the underworld. The people who heard his disciples were hearing him, but those who rejected them were rejecting Jesus himself.

When the seventy-two returned with joy, telling Jesus that even demons were subject to them in his name, he said, "<span class="jesus-words">I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning.</span>" He gave them authority over all the power of the enemy, telling them not to be afraid of anything. Nothing would be able to harm them.

But Jesus cautioned them not to rejoice only because they had authority over spirits. Rather, they should be glad that their names were written in heaven. At that moment, Jesus was filled with joy and said a prayer: "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them to those who are like little children; yes, Father, it was good in your sight."

Jesus then explained that all authority had been given to him by his Father. Nobody knew who he or the Father were except for each other, and those to whom Jesus chose to reveal them. He turned to his followers and said, "Blessed are the eyes which see what you see." Blessed indeed were those who saw these things and heard these teachings.

A certain lawyer stood up and tested Jesus, asking him, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus replied, "What is written in the law? How do you interpret it?" The lawyer answered correctly by saying that one should love God with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind, and also love their neighbor as themselves.

Jesus said, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live." But when the lawyer tried to justify himself, he asked Jesus who his neighbor was. To answer this question, Jesus told a story about a man who fell among thieves on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho.

A priest passed by but didn't help him, nor did a Levite who happened to be there. However, a Samaritan came and had compassion on the injured man. He took care of his wounds, put him on his own donkey, and brought him to an inn. The next day, he paid for the man's expenses, promising to repay anything extra when he returned.

Jesus asked the lawyer which of these three people was a neighbor to the injured man, and he answered that it was the one who showed mercy to him. Jesus said, "Go and do likewise."

As Jesus continued on his journey, he came to a certain village where Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to his words while Martha was busy serving. Martha complained to Jesus, saying that her sister wasn't helping her with the work.

Jesus replied, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. But one thing is essential: and Mary has chosen that good portion which will not be taken from her."