Today we are going to look at Luke 10:1-11. Here we have Jesus sending out some of his disciples to minister throughout Israel, just as he did at the beginning of chapter 9. However, now he appoints a group beyond “The Twelve,” referred to as the Seventy.
Here we see that the need is greater than the 12 can do alone. In fact it was and is greater than what these 70 can do. However, we are shown the heart of God to reach the lost and his need of believers who will partner with Him to do that.
Now we notice that these 70 are being sent out in the same way that the 12 had been sent out earlier. They are going in pairs and they are going to the cities of Israel. Now, 70 is an important number. Just as the 12 disciples correspond with the 12 tribes of Israel, so the 70 correspond with the 70 elders of Israel. They become representative in the Kingdom of God of what the others were in the beginning of the Kingdom of Israel. In Exodus 24 we are introduced to the 70 elders as they go with Moses and Aaron on the mountain and eat a meal before a heavenly vision of the throne of God. We also see them again in Numbers 11 where God places a portion of the Holy Spirit upon them to help Moses in leading Israel. Thus it is clear that Christ is using the numbers on purpose to point to the new work that God was doing through the godly remnant of Israel.
We are also told that these 70 disciples were appointed and sent by Jesus. The word “appoint” here literally means to raise someone up to a position. There was a large pool of believers that followed Jesus and yet he raised 70 up out of this larger group for a specific task. They become second tier apostles or “sent ones” to minister for the Lord.
Their task focuses on preparing the way for Jesus. Jesus would be coming to those cities and villages at some point. The work of the 70 would wet the spiritual thirst of people for when that would happen. Not all are called to be evangelists and pastors. However, our interactions with others can prepare them for a visitation of the Spirit of the Lord. Jesus no longer walks on this earth physically. But His Spirit is moving throughout the earth in order to draw people to Jesus. These visitations of the Spirit of God come and go. We can cooperate with the Spirit to prepare people and to save them. Paul refers to this as planting, watering, and harvesting. All of these spiritual works are done by believers in Christ in cooperation with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus then points out the great need of workers in God’s Kingdom. There are a large number of people to reach. That doesn’t necessarily mean the majority. Scripture is clear that the majority of the world will follow the wicked path to destruction. But the narrow path that leads to life will be found by the minority. Yet, this is not a set percentage. In some places more or less will come to Christ. We have testimonies of whole villages coming to believe in Christ and others where He is rejected. Yet, the harvest is still large and will take a lot of workers; workers who are willing to sweat in order to bring it in. Do we sometimes err in expecting people to harvest themselves? It is our duty to go out and help people to come into the kingdom of God. This is not a one moment thing. It involves all the work that leads up to the day of harvest. If our life is focused primarily on what we want in life, we will only give a half-hearted attempt at reaching the lost if any. Thus Jesus points out the need for prayer.
Prayer is the place where God touches our heart. We can’t pray for the harvest without being concerned for it. The more we pray, the more the Lord will touch our heart. Yes, prayer can be used to unload burdens. But it can also be a place to pick up the burden that God has for those who are lost; the urgency to work hard to bring them in.
In verses 3 and 4, Jesus gives them instructions regarding their going. They are to go as “lambs among wolves.” This metaphor represents our spirit or demeanor among the lost. We are going out into a den of wolves looking for lost sheep, and our tendency is to become like the wolves out of self-preservation. Wolves are bloody, cruel, aggressive, and to be feared. They will eat you up if you give them the chance. However, lambs are peaceful, not aggressive, and definitely not feared. They are the vulnerable ones. What manner of spirit are we?
Jesus also sends these 70 without material provisions. They are not to concern themselves with their material needs. Rather, they are to depend upon God to provide. Notice that it is clear that Jesus intends for their material needs to be met by those who receive the gospel from them. We will talk more about being content with what is provided in the next point. But, here the emphasis is upon trusting God. This is not an endeavor that we can accomplish in our flesh. We need the Lord to supply both our material needs and spiritual accomplishment.
He also tells them to “Greet no one.” The concern here is to be one who is focused upon a specific task. They are official representatives of the Kingdom of God. The temptation to get distracted when responding to the task given is still with us today. Many people who have started to go for the Lord have gotten distracted from the main purpose of reaching the lost. In fact, some have gone so far as to be entangled in the cares of this world to the point of ship wrecking their faith. We must keep a single eye upon this work.
Verses 5-11 detail the instructions for what to do when they reach the cities. They are to approach the people of these cities as a giver of peace. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus had said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the Sons of God.” Peace is a hallmark of God. Where God’s Spirit is there will be peace. Thus the ambassadors of Jesus are to be peaceful within their selves and to be givers of peace. Yet, not all desire peace. There are wolves they will meet. We must not have a fake peace that is quickly thrown aside when others reject us. The peace of Christ went all the way to the cross. Is your “peace” a mile wide and an inch thick? Is it easily pierced and dissipated as the morning fog? Jesus says that if your peace is rejected it will return to you. By the act of rejection your peace is “thrown back in your face.” They reject both words and actions. Yet, it is our duty to “take our peace back” and move on in peace.
Jesus also points out their attitude towards what would be provided by those who received them. They would be uniquely susceptible to certain temptations because they were taking no provisions with them. Jesus tells them to receive whatever they are given. In other words, don’t be picky. Our concern must never be how great the provision is, whether in quantity or quality. Our concern must only be upon the work of the Lord. In truth, such provisions are given to God anyways. The people who would bless them are doing so out of thankfulness for the work that God is doing through these “sent ones.”
Jesus also warns against moving from house to house. This was a method of getting everyone’s best. You stay at a house until they are no longer treating you royally and then you move to another home. This is a fleshly motivation that is not to be followed.
Yet, the laborer is worthy of his hire. When we labor to bring spiritual blessings to people it is only natural that they minister to our material needs. I don’t need an expensive car and a multi-million dollar home. But I do have need of shelter, clothing and food. To have your eyes opened to the truth of your lost condition and yet the grace that God has for you is an amazing thing. You are receiving the eternal effect of salvation. Consider that in contrast to the temporary effect of a morsel of food. Is this fraught with temptations and pitfalls? You better believe it. There are pitfalls for both the minister and the one being ministered to. So Jesus warns them and us.
Ultimately they were to minister to those who received them, wherever that was at. They were to heal the sick and to cast out demons. They were to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. It has come near to you. Enter in by faith in Jesus Christ.
Even though some places would reject them, they were to focus on leaving behind a good witness. The symbolic act of shaking the dust off of their feet was a way of saying, “I did my job and I leave this dirt as evidence that I was here.” It is also a way of saying, “I will not let your rejection of Christ and scoffing of his ways cling to me.” This symbolic act is a witness against them if they go into eternity without repenting. Leaving is inevitable. But what we do will either help them to salvation or condemn them. They will be without excuse.
Let me close by encouraging us to respond to this mission that Christ shows us. This mission to reach those who are lost with the Gospel has many temptations. But if we listen to Christ we can do a job that he will rejoice in. So that we may hear one day, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”