10:1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.
Jesus determines who goes. He has called you and me.
He values team (two by two) we need each other.
He promises to go with us. See Matt 28.20
2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
The reality of the work there is to do. There is a lot to do. There are not many workers or laborers to do the harvest.
So we pray – importance of prayer cannot be overstated. Pray for the work we are about to do. Pray for more workers to meet the need of the harvest. 2 billion people have little or no understanding that Jesus died to set them free and forgive their sin.
Pray that Jesus sends us into His harvest field. That we would enjoy His presence and His joy in building relationships.
3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
Jesus is clear that the work is not danger-free. We must be wise as serpents, innocent as doves.
4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.
The point is Jesus wants us to fully depend on HIM and not money, supply, or technology.
We need to be focused on the work Jesus wants us to do. “greet no one on the road”.
5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’
The word for PEACE in Arabic is Salaam, Spanish is Paz, Hebrew is Shalom. Our whole work is trying to bring real peace to the hearts of the people. We have the Ministry of reconciliation, which is peacemaking. God has done the heavy lifting on the cross, we tell the news. It’s about peace with God and peace with man. Fight for peace! Wage it!
6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you.
7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.
8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you.
Jesus wants us to enjoy the local culture. Do not be ethnocentric. Eat what is given to you.
9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
Although we will need discernment, we are people who believe in God’s power to heal. Let’s pray for opportunities to pray for the sick. Trust in God’s power to heal!
10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. [1]Sodom than for that town. [2]
This final passage speaks to seriousness of the gospel. There is a final judgment. What people ultimately do with the Lord Jesus Christ, will determine their eternity. Wow.
Ex. 24:1, 9; Num. 11:16
Some manuscripts seventy; also verse 17
[ch. 9:2, 52]
Matt. 9:37, 38; John 4:35
[2 Thess. 3:1]
Matt. 10:16; [John 17:18]
For ver. 4–12, [ch. 9:1–5; 22:35; Matt. 10:9–15; Mark 6:8–11]
[Ps. 35:13 (Heb.)]
See 1 Tim. 5:18
ver. 11; See Matt. 3:2
Acts 13:51; [Neh. 5:13; Acts 18:6]
ver. 9
See Matt. 10:15
[1]The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Lk 10:1). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
[2]The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Lk 10:1). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
1 comment:
I really like this post. Thank you!
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