Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.

Today we hear of Jesus’s first evangelization campaign. Before He started His personal ministry effort He sent out the 72 to announce His gospel (the good news). It is interesting here to stop and consider the number 72. There is some debate among the translators of the bible over the years as to whether the actual number is 70 or 72. This is because of how the words in Aramaic are not abundantly clear as to one number or the other. The same confusion (among translators) happens later when Peter asks Jesus how many time we are to forgive, and the translators argue about whether the number was 77 or 70 times 7.

But the Haydock bible commentary makes the point that the actual number in today’s reading must be 72. Primarily because only the number 72 is divisible by 12. And this is important because it meant that each of the 12 disciples were assigned 6 disciples to work with them. The Apostle would serve as the first bishop, and the disciples would serve as the first priests and deacons. And they would then be sent out two by two under the governance of each apostle (bishop) to proclaim the good news.

This number 72 also has other interesting meanings as well. It is also a direct reference to Moses at the beginning of the law. Moses had assigned a leader from each of the tribes of Israel, and 72 elders from among each of the tribes as well to serve as the prophets of the Israel. These men brought the law of God (given to Moses) to all of the people of Israel and served as the governors of the disputes that came up among the people.

Lastly the number 72 represents the known kingdoms of the ancient world. This number is disputed, but the debate is not entirely important as to which is the accurate number. I do believe, however, that 72 is the accurate number because in another gospel, after Jesus’ resurrection, He helps Peter with a large catch of fish containing 72 fish, representing the all of the known kingdoms of the world. The number here then is actually becomes very important, and because it is repeated multiple times throughout the entire of scripture, we must acknowledge what this number means, and that is what Jesus says in the great commission before His ascension. That the faithful of Christ are to go out into the whole world (all 72 nations) and preach the gospel of Jesus.

And that mission started with today’s reading. Jesus is sending them out to these nations, so that these disciples can whet the appetite for the message of the gospel to all of the people. Then later when Jesus embarks on His mission to these same nations, the people will then choose to follow him. I believe that this is one reason why people were so ready to hear Him and why later in His ministry, He attracted such large crowds. And this is why, after His resurrection and before His ascension, He would then send these same disciples back to all of the world to proclaim the fulfillment of the Gospel message, and the consummation of His promises through His death, resurrection, and ascension.

And that is our message as well today. We must all strive to have this same trust, and to go out into the whole world without money bag or sack or sandals, completely trusting the providence of the lord, and to proclaim the gospel of the lord, to everyone. There are still people that don’t know who Jesus is, and they need us to tell them. And there are lost sheep out there that need to be found and brought back into the fold. Will you go? And who will you meet? Only God knows, but you must make that first step.

Oh lord help us today to better love and trust you, while we proclaim your word to all of the people of the world.