God's Gospel Truths
Luke 10:1-12
Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two[a] others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 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. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: 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.
Footnotes:
[a] Luke 10:1 Some manuscripts seventy; also in verse 17
Pondering Point
Jesus’ choice to send these disciples out in twos gives a great reminder about not going it alone, but having partners.
But it’s not about marriage or life partners; it is about ministry partners.
Who are you partnered with in service to God? Who are you encouraging (or could be encouraging) in ministry for God?
In this particular event, Jesus lets His disciples know that they are part of preparing people to receive Him personally. He was, in a sense, coming to “their house” – their turf, their hometown.
Even when Jesus meets people where they’re at, He is known to have others prepare the way – not unlike John the Baptist, the Twelve, or the Seventy-Two.
Prayer
Father God, help me envision myself as your appointed [servant, ambassador, disciple, forerunner, messenger (pick what fits for you). Remind me of who my partners are and let us minister to Your glory.
In Jesus I pray. Amen.