SCRIPTURE: LUKE 10
JESUS SENDS OUT THE SEVENTY-TWO (vs. 1-24)
The Lord appointed 72 others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” (vs. 1-3)
JESUS’ INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SEVENTY-TWO:
- Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. (v. 4)
- When you enter a house, first say, “Peace to his house.” (v. 5)
- If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. (v. 6)
- Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. (v. 7)
- When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. (v. 8)
- Heal the sick who are there and tell them, “The kingdom of God is near you.” (v. 9+)
- But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: ‘The kingdom of God is near.’. I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. (vs. 11-12)
Jesus compared Korazin and Bethsaida with Tyre and Sidon and said that Tyre and Sidon were better because if they saw the miracle performed, they would have repented and sat in sackcloth and ashes. He also condemned Capernaum to go down to the depths.
The seventy-two returned with joy because the demons submitted to them in Christ’s name. But Jesus told them not to rejoice because the spirits submitted to them, but rejoice that their names were written in heaven. Jesus was very happy because his disciples had seen the hidden things that were revealed to them.
THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN (vs. 23-37)
An expert of the law asked Jesus: “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus asked: “What is written in the Law?” He answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, ands, Love your neighbor as yourself” (v. 27). Jesus told him to do it. Then he asked Jesus: “Who is my neighbor?” (v. 29) Jesus replied with a parable:
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was, and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. Theo next day,. he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying: “:Look after him and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.” (v. 35) Jesus asked: “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” (v.35) The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Gol and do likewise.” (v. 37)
AT THE HOME OF MARTHA AND MARY (vs. 38-42)
A woman named Martha opened her home to Jesus and his disciples. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was very busy making preparations. So she came to Jesus and said: “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (v. 40). The Lord answered: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (v. 41-42)
THOUGHTS:
Aside from the twelve apostles that Jesus had chosen, he also sent out Seventy-two who obeyed him to reap the harvest. However, the laborers are still few because the ministry is difficult and dangerous. There are many works in Christian service. Don’t just sit back and watch others work. Look for ways to help with the harvest. Are you obedient to His call?
Jesus said he was sending his disciples out “as lambs among wolves”. They should be careful because they would encounter opposition. As Christians, we may also face enemies. Be ready to show love and gentleness in your mission.
Jesus told the disciples to accept hospitality graciously because their work entitled them to it. Today, pastors and missionaries deserve to be supported with adequate salary and we have the responsibility to satisfy their basic needs. We must express our appreciation for their service
The disciples rejoiced over their successful ministry but Jesus told them to rejoice because they were the citizens of heaven. Our service to the Lord may not always be successful but we have the greatest wonder – our heavenly citizenship.
The 10 commandments of the Old Testament are being shortened to two. And the emphasis is “LOVE”. – to love God and love people. And the best way to show LOVE to God is to worship Him wholeheartedly. And to show LOVE to people is to help the needy and take care of them.
Martha was very busy preparing the physical needs of the visitors while Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to his teachings. Martha complained because Mary did not help her. But Jesus said that Mary has chosen what is better. This shows that it is important to serve the Lord and others, but it is even more important to delight the Lord by spending time with Him. Are you so busy serving God without devotional time of prayer and reading His Word?