Luke Chapter 10 (Verses 1-16) Poem by Dr John Celes

Like lambs amongst the wolves,
The Lord Christ Jesus sent
Seventy-two others
To go in pairs to towns
And places to visit.

‘The harvest is so rich
But laborers are few;
So, ask God of harvest
To send more laborers.’

‘Without purse, haversack;
Without sandals for feet;
Saluting none on road,
On God’s work, they would leave.’

‘Peace be unto this house! ’
– would be their first few words
in houses they entered,
And nothing more or less.

‘If man of peace lived there,
Your peace will rest on him;
If not, it will return
Back to you instantly.’

‘Stay in that very house,
And eat what they offer;
Don’t move from house to house.’
Cure those in it who’re sick;
Say, ‘God’s kingdom is near! ’

‘If unwelcome in towns,
go out into its streets;
Shake off the dust from feet
Say, ‘God’s kingdom is near! ’

And Jesus said to them,
‘On God’s great final day,
it would be much easy
for Sodom than that town.’

Alas! For Corazin;
Alas! For Bethsaida;
If Tyre and Sidon saw
Miracles, you’d witnessed,
Repented, they would have
with sack-cloth and ashes!
It would be bearable
still, for those towns than you.

And Capernaum would be
Flung down to hell instead
Of going to heaven.

‘One listening to you,
pays heed to me as well;
Whoever rejects you,
rejects One who sent me! ’

Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-8-2009