Last Sunday, we considered the harshness of Jesus’ demands for those who would be his followers. There is no looking backward once someone put their hands on the plough. There is an urgency to Jesus’ mission as well as a focus on looking ahead.

In a similar light, we see Jesus sending out his disciples on a mission. The disciples are not to think that there is a sight-seeing excursion where they will be staying in five stars hotels and travelling on private jets to the mission field. From the outset, Jesus is not even asking for volunteers on the task ahead.

People mingling around for the after-church tea break are not called here. Jesus is sending out the seventy-two. Are these volunteers? Did Jesus give them the opportunity to decline the mission? No one said that they are busy? No one said that they have other appointments or any family commitments.

The disciples were not playing “church” as we see this in so many of our ideas of a church in today’s world where people have grown to choose their church according to their consumeristic mindset. Some choose their church based on what it offers or based on what they fancy.

When Jesus sent out the seventy-two, he was not going to cate for what they thought should be the way forward. Are you still keen to be a follower of Jesus?

When you listened carefully to the song sung by the choir last Sunday, did you seriously consider the words – “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back.”

Last Sunday, we have had over 50 people at our in-person church service. We had a group of forty Vietnamese who made a surprise visit along with other visitors too. Cameron had sent out an email informing people that in-person service will be phased in soon by the first Sunday of September. Let us get back to being accustomed to attending in-person services.