When I worked with sheep in NZ there were no natural predators. Jesus image shows the total vulnerability - lambs against wolve. On Sunday we heard about the gunshots at Jost to bring the Christians out of their houses, the nets throown over them and the rising and falling of the machetes. I heard that last year half of the Christians baptised in Baghdad’s CofE church were murdered by year end. But they still come forward for baptism. Lambs don’t organise and they don’t cower in the fold. I don’t see myself as surrouned by wolves but am in solidarity with my brethren who are and go out anyway.

The image is an extreme contrast. It teaches me that fear is no excuse and todays challenge of how I can express my trust in God is a good question

Maybe a little more walking and leaving the car behind?
Perhaps there’s a danger in being too literal. I don’t think he meant ignore people on the road - they may be the one’s he is wanting us to meet, like the old lady I met qalking up the street today. There is also an element of vunerability in what we are to do (lambs among wolves). Jesus as willing to be vunerable with people. (eg with the woman at the well)

(See Elisha’s similar instructions to Gehazi in 2 Kings 4 – great story!)
This seems to be stage 2 of Jesus’ battle plan.  He sent out his 12 “best” men on the initial reconnaissance, now he sends out the 72, in twos, for mutual support, “lambs among wolves”, unarmed scouts on a dangerous mission in uncertain territory.  Travel light and fast.  Spies everywhere.  “Mum’s the word” until you reach the objective.  Don’t get sidetracked.  Don’t slow down.  Keep your mind focussed on my word.  Concentrate solely on your mission and don’t start any commotion until you’re in position.

My sources explain these verses as stressing the urgency in Jesus’ concern for evangelism and in the work He gives his disciples. As for greeting no one on the road, from my own experience of life in that part of the world, greeting involves far more than a mere ‘Good Morning.’ Perhaps the usual greeting will have to be cut short in these circumstances. No doubt this can be clarified from the original language.

Confused got me thinking ,thanks confused. Is Jesus asking us is this passage to be confident in the freedom of his love alone .carrying nothing except what we are in Gods love. To me the road represents the culture (path of the day ) dangerous in Jesus’ time (e.g as in the Good samaritan )As Christians Jesus commissions us to be wary of the culture of our day and travel on his path of love sharing its freedom with others from our open hearts.

I think it is dangerous to take a verse like this out of context and try to apply to our every day life. These were specific instructions given to the 72 before being sent out to preach the gospel and heal the sick in areas that may have been hostile to them having given them authority even over demons. This was a specific lesson in trust and reliance to them and sometimes we also may be sent out with similar instructions.
However I am sure this does not mean today we are to make a habit of not taking handbags /wallets and walk past everyone without a greeting! keep it in context!

A former boss of mine once remarked that she thought that most people were basically good. I couldn’t believe it, yet when I spoke up, and suggested that we were all actually pretty bad, I faced real indignation from my colleagues.

I think this passage deals with the fact that it is a dark and dangerous world out there - the wolves are everywhere and we are wise not to forget this. It exposes the real tension within Christinity between having a generosity of sprit whilst being wary of so many fallen souls.

Well, today’s reading has me really confused. Do I feel that I am being sent like a lamb amongst wolves ? Who are these wolves ? The people I work with ? my friends and neighbours ?  those people outside the Church ? people of other religions ?
I can understand that Christ doesn’t want us to be laden down with stuff which may distract us from the task we have been set but why the command to greet no one on the road?  This seems to continue the isolationsit them in the first part of the verse. Why am I being sent out into the midst of wolves with the command to greet no one on the road ?

Jesus is saying, “Although you are like lambs in the midst of wolves, don’t worry. Don’t get distracted by thinking about what you need to do to protect yourself or provision yourself for the task. Just do it. I am with you. I will provide all you need. Trust me.” Yes Lord, I trust you.

Jesus does not send us out unprotected, but he sends us out without worldly protection. We do not need money, a change of clothes or even trainers, yet we have all we need. Get going this is urgent.

Whenever we feel that God is asking us to do something, we should remember that He will ensure we have all we need to complete the task, no matter how daunting it may seem.

Just about to set out carrying laptop and mp3 player.  Much relieved to see these are not on the list.