Last time, we were privy to Jesus revealing that He was the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His Sheep, and leads them to eternal peace, love, and joy (see Christ Steps Out into the Spotlight 3).
The next thing that Christ does is appoint 72 new ‘disciples’ (separate from His apostles).
They were to precede Him – going to places where He was intending to preach the Gospel. Their job was to prepare the people, alerting them that the Kingdom of God was coming to them. Jesus gives them instructions before they depart:
“The harvest is abundant [for there are many who need to hear the good news about salvation], but the workers [those available to proclaim the message of salvation] are few. Therefore, [prayerfully] ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” Lk. 10:2 AMP
“Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.* Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.
*(…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Tim. 3:12 NLT
So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 1 Jn. 3:13 NLT)
“Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.
“If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this – the Kingdom of God is near!’ I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on judgment day.” Lk. 10:3-12. NLT
So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation… Heb. 2:3 NLT)
Jesus is empowering the ‘seventy-two’ to heal and preach about the Kingdom of God and to teach them that the only way to get there is through Him.
We can learn from Christ’s instructions as well. When we evangelize, we can tell those who hear with an open heart (those who are ‘peaceful’), about the promises that are available for the children of God. As for those who won’t (not peaceful), we can warn them of the consequences.
Whatever anyone does with our invitation to the Kingdom, is between them and Jehovah. Our job is to invite like a lamb – humble, and without coercion. It is up to the hearer to make a free-will choice to determine their fate.
God has a finite timetable for people to accept or return to Him. That is what makes our Great Commission so urgent. We cannot tarry (‘greet people on the road’).
Jesus seals the ‘seventy-two’ and sends them off with an admonition:
“Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.” Lk. 10:16 NLT
(And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you.
And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted…when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people – praise from all who believe. And that includes you, for you believed… 2 Thess. 1:5 – 10. NLT)
The seventy-two returns from their tasks with elation – having seen the power of Christ work through them. They exclaimed:
“Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” Lk. 10:17 NKJV
Jesus replies:
“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” Lk. 10:18 NKJV
What Jesus is referring to, is the devil’s ultimate defeat – beginning with the ministry of the seventy-two. Next, He tells them (and us) that He will continue to empower His disciples:
“Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.
“But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” Lk. 10:19, 20. NLT
The ‘scorpions’ and ‘serpents’ are not literal! They are symbolic for demon opposition. You see also where Jesus tells them / us not to fall into pride because of their / our empowerment, but to remain humble instead of glorifying themselves.
The apostle Paul puts it this way (Always give God the glory):
I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 1 Cor. 3:6 NLT
Jesus allowed Himself a celebration – rejoicing in the in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, over the results of their ministry, and calls out to His Father:
“O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.” Lk. 10:21 NLT
Christ is celebrating the grace of God in choosing to reveal the Good News to those with childlike faith rather than to others who feel so wise in their own eyes whilst ‘rationally’ rejecting His Son.
The Holy Spirit expresses this eloquently through the apostle Peter:
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls…It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. 1 Pt. 1:8, 9 & 12. NLT
All followers of Christ have received the Great Commission – multiplying our Savior by expanding the circle of the Kingdom of God on earth through the sharing of His Good News…
Goodnight and God bless.