Messengers on the Golden Path

Last time, we finished the 3-part series of Jesus is Laying Down the Law. (See Part 1; Part 2; & Part 3.)

Next, Jesus moves on to the next phase of His Gospel (the golden path to salvation). efficacy. He did that through multiplying Himself by appointing 72 new disciples as His ‘messengers’.

They were to precede Jesus’ arrival to places where He was going to evangelize His Gospel. Their mission was to prepare the people by alerting them that the ‘Kingdom of God’ was coming to them. He instructs the 72 before their departure:

“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

“Go your way; listen carefully: I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not carry a money belt, a provision bag, or [extra] sandals; and do not greet anyone along the way [who would delay you]. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace [that is, a blessing of well-being and prosperity, the favor of God] to this house.’ And if anyone of peace is there [someone who is sweet-spirited and hospitable], your [blessing of] peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not move from house to house.” Lk. 10:3-7. AMP

“Whenever you go into a city and they welcome you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick [authenticating your message], and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.” Lk. 10:8, 9. AMP

“But whatever city you enter and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say,‘Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you [breaking all ties]; yet understand this, that the kingdom of God has come near [and you rejected it].’ I tell you, it will be more bearable in that day [of judgment] for Sodom than for that city.” Lk. 10:10 – 12. AMP

What’s Christ doing? He’s empowering the 72 to preach about the Kingdom of God, and to heal the sick to demonstrate the power of it. And finally to impress upon those who would listen, that the only way to salvation was through Jesus Christ. Furthermore, they were to convey the dire gravity awaiting those who reject Him.

Our job, when we present the Gospel, is to humbly invite the hearer without trying to coerce them. What they do with your invitation is between them and God.

There is an urgency that surrounds our duty as followers of Christ to evangelize. It stems from the fact that God has a finite timetable for people to accept Him. Or, for the backsliders to return to Him. Once Jesus returns, those who are rejectors or fence-sitters will be condemned to death.

Jesus ‘seals’ the 72, and sends them off with an admonition:

“The one who listens to you listens to Me; and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and the one who rejects Me rejects Him [My heavenly Father] who sent Me.” Lk. 10:16 AMP

When the 72 return from their tasks, they are elated for having seen the power of Christ work through them. And they exclaim:

“Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” Lk. 10:17 CSB

Jesus responds:

“Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!” Lk. 10:18 NLT

He is speaking metaphorically, describing how Satan lost that battle with the 72.

Afterwards, Jesus tells them (and us) that He will continue to empower His disciples:

Listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and [the ability to exercise authority] over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm you. Nevertheless do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” Lk. 10:19, 20. AMP

Empowered and having their (our) salvation assured out or their / our obedience.

(The ‘scorpions and snakes’ are not literal! It is symbolism for victory over demonic opposition. Also, note that Jesus is telling them not to fall into the sin of pride because He empowers us. Instead, we need to remain humble and give all the glory to God.)

The apostle Paul would later put giving all the glory to God this way – using evangelism as the example:

(I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 1 Co. 3:6 NLT)

Then, Jesus allowed Himself a little personal celebration. He rejoiced in the fullness of the Holy Spirt over the results of the ministerial success of the 72. Simultaneously thanking His Father as He celebrated:

“I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things [relating to salvation] from the wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to infants [the childlike and untaught]. Yes, Father, for this way was [Your gracious will and choice, and was] well-pleasing in Your sight.” Lk. 10:21 AMP

Christ is rejoicing over the grace of God – choosing to reveal the Good News to those with childlike faith. Salvation was lost to those who feel so wise in their own eyes, whilst ‘rationally’ rejecting His Son. It’s all about the faith.

The Holy Spirit expresses this faith 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.

This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.

They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.) 1 Pt. 1:8 – 12. NLT

All followers of Christ have received the Great Commission to multiply our Savior by expanding the Kingdom of God through our sharing of the Good News…

Goodnight and God bless.

The Urgency of the Great Commission

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…