Sent with Dusty Feet and Joyful Hearts

Luke 10:1–11, 16–20

I want you to imagine a scene in our house.
I turned to my husband and said:
“Next week, we’re going on a trip. It’s a surprise.”
He looked at me, half-curious, half-concerned, and said,
“Okay… where are we going?”
I said, “Not telling you. But we’re not bringing anything.”
“No bags?”
“Nope.”
“No snacks?”
“Nope.”
“Shoes?”
“Just the ones on our feet.”
“Are you okay?” he asked, now clearly alarmed.
“Totally fine,” I said. “Jesus-style travel. Luke 10. You’ll love it.”
At that point, he quietly walked away and started packing his bag.


That’s how today’s Gospel begins, with an impossible packing list.
Jesus appoints seventy of his followers and sends them out two for not for a vacation, but for a mission.
And he tells them:

• Don’t bring a bag.
• Don’t bring money.
• Don’t even bring an extra pair of shoes.
• Just go.

Walking Empty-Handed
Now I don’t know about you, but I don’t like leaving my house without a phone charger, snacks, and an emergency backup plan.
But here’s Jesus saying: Go out with nothing but peace.
Why?
Because Jesus wants them to know: You’re not relying on your resources. You’re relying on God. And on the hospitality of others. And on the message you carry.
It’s not about how prepared you feel, it’s about the one who sends you.


Peace to This House
The seventy are told to go into every town, every home, and say:
“Peace to this house.”
Now, that sounds nice. But let’s be real--peace is not always welcomed.
Some people don’t want peace. Some people don’t want strangers showing up with big feelings and bold faith.
Jesus prepares them for that too: If your peace is rejected, don’t argue. Don’t post a rant on Facebook. Don’t shout, “You’ll regret this!”
Just shake the dust off your feet and move on.


That’s a Word for the Church Today
Because here’s the thing: We’ve all been there.
We’ve shared an invitation, a kindness, or a word of faith, and been met with eye rolls or silence or closed doors.
We live in a world where rejection can feel personal, where not being heard stings.
But Jesus says: It’s okay. Shake it off. I’m still with you. Keep going.
This is freeing. It means we’re not responsible for how people receive the gospel—we’re only responsible for bringing it.


Sent Like Lambs
Jesus also says, “I’m sending you out like lambs among wolves.”
Which… again… isn’t super comforting.
Lambs are vulnerable. They don’t carry swords. They don’t argue on Twitter. They don’t win debates.
They just show up—soft, steady, open-hearted.
And that’s how Jesus sends us.
We’re not sent with force or flash. We’re sent with peace and presence.


Joy in the Right Place
When the seventy come back, they are pumped up.
“Jesus! Even the demons listen to us!”
And Jesus responds: “That’s great. But don’t let the power go to your head. Rejoice not because the spirits obey you, but because your names are written in heaven.”
In other words: The greatest joy isn’t in what you do. It’s in who you are.
And who are you?

• You are God’s beloved.
• You are named, known, and claimed.
• You are part of this mission—not because you’re perfect, but because you’re willing.

What This Means for Us
So what does all this mean for us—here in our pews, in our busy homes, in a world that feels more like wolves than lambs?
It means:

• We don’t have to be flashy or perfect or well-packed.
• We don’t have to fix every problem.
• We just have to go, to the places God sends us.

Maybe that’s a friend who’s grieving.
Maybe that’s a neighbor who feels alone.
Maybe that’s someone who’s ready to hear about Jesus and doesn’t even know it yet.
We bring peace. We bring love. We bring presence.
And we trust that Christ has already gone ahead of us.


Closing
So, friends, as strange as it sounds, leave your baggage behind.
Take your faith. Take a friend.
And go where Jesus sends you.
It might be uncomfortable. It might get dusty.
But it will also be holy.
Because your name is written in heaven.
And that, not fear, not rejection, not what you carry or don’t carry,
That is where your joy begins.
Amen.

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