In this first part of chapter ten I was struck by the incredible privilege and the immense, if often terrifying challenge, of being sent out to proclaim the Kingdom of God to the world. There is little greater goal that we can have as the Lord’s people than to seek to bring others into His kingdom.
These seventy two were among the first missionaries to go out seeking to achieve just that. The fear they may have felt at Jesus words would have made this daunting task seem near impossible. ‘I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.’ But at the Lord’s bidding they were sent out ‘two by two’, something which I read as a great encouragement. Jesus gave those early Christians each other as a support in the trials they would face. Greater still he, gave them Himself and His power. The seventy two found even demons subject to the name of Jesus, and themselves protected ‘over all the power of the enemy.’ This is truly incredible! The Lord protected His people in their task; one which is of the highest importance as this chapter shows.
It was scary to read about the judgement awaiting the unrepentant towns and cities, but in reading it I realized how little importance we too often give to proclaiming the good news of salvation. Our task is massive and ‘the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few.’ We were commanded by Jesus, in his great commission to go and make disciples of all nations, but we are often too preoccupied with our own lives to notice those around us whose eternity could be profoundly changed through God working in us, if only we were willing. He has promised to provide for us as he did for the seventy two. So why do we still wait? It is fear that stops us. But the Lord promised ‘Surely I am with you always’ (Matt 28:20). So seek to follow the example of the seventy two and also ‘pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’
Read today's section on BibleGateway.
These seventy two were among the first missionaries to go out seeking to achieve just that. The fear they may have felt at Jesus words would have made this daunting task seem near impossible. ‘I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.’ But at the Lord’s bidding they were sent out ‘two by two’, something which I read as a great encouragement. Jesus gave those early Christians each other as a support in the trials they would face. Greater still he, gave them Himself and His power. The seventy two found even demons subject to the name of Jesus, and themselves protected ‘over all the power of the enemy.’ This is truly incredible! The Lord protected His people in their task; one which is of the highest importance as this chapter shows.
It was scary to read about the judgement awaiting the unrepentant towns and cities, but in reading it I realized how little importance we too often give to proclaiming the good news of salvation. Our task is massive and ‘the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few.’ We were commanded by Jesus, in his great commission to go and make disciples of all nations, but we are often too preoccupied with our own lives to notice those around us whose eternity could be profoundly changed through God working in us, if only we were willing. He has promised to provide for us as he did for the seventy two. So why do we still wait? It is fear that stops us. But the Lord promised ‘Surely I am with you always’ (Matt 28:20). So seek to follow the example of the seventy two and also ‘pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’
Read today's section on BibleGateway.
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