Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 10 (part 1)

Chapter 9 began with Jesus sending out the 12 Apostle’s, and they did so-so. They preached and taught about the Kingdom of God. They healed many people. They however didn’t mention casting out demons, and we heard that they couldn’t cast one out while Jesus was on the mountain in the presence of Moses & Elijah. Now Jesus begins this chapter by expanding on those he sends out into ministry. Jesus’ ministry continues to expand and get bigger and spreads out with a wider net. This will explode after the Resurrection as the Church is given the Holy Spirit and send out to the ends of the earth!!
70 or 72 - Ancient manuscripts are evenly split. The number probably comes from Genesis 10 where there is a listing of the nations on earth. In the Hebrew the listing is 70, in the Septuagint (Greek OT) this listing is 72. This number obviously represents the Gospel being sent out to the entire world. Moses also called 70 elders to help him judge over Israel

1-11 – Mission of the 70 (or 72)
70 or 72 - Ancient manuscripts are evenly split. The number probably comes from Genesis 10 where there is a listing of the nations on earth. In the Hebrew the listing is 70, in the Septuagint (Greek OT) this listing is 72. This number obviously represents the Gospel being sent out to the entire world. Moses also called 70 elders to help him judge over Israel

Jesus commissioning of these 70 (72) is very similar to his commissioning of the 12 he sent our earlier. This time we have a fuller picture of some of the things he tells them to do and be. Again Jesus sends this group out in pairs (the reason why the Mormon’s send their missionaries out in pairs). It is probably not good to be alone in ministry. When we are alone (as Jesus was in the wilderness) Satan’s temptations can overwhelm us very easily. Also, in this day and age it was needed to have two witnesses for someone’s testimony to be credible, therefore two people saying the same thing about Jesus and God’s kingdom was more credible to the people of that day. Luke has shown us other groups of two also. Think back what other pairs are there? He sends these disciples to the towns he is going to go to. They are the preparation. They are the scouts to see which towns will accept Jesus and his message and which will reject. Here we have the beginning of an expansion of ministry. Some lay the groundwork, others (Jesus) follow behind and harvest and expand on what was laid down before. These disciples receive similar instructions to that of the 12 before. This group very possibly is the whole group of disciples that is following Jesus around. If so, then this group includes women as well.

The commentary before the instructions let us know that there are a lot of people out there who will hear, and be ‘GOOD SOIL’ for the message of the kingdom of God. The harvest is plentiful. Jesus (God) needs laborers (people who will work hard!!) to go out and gather in the harvest!! However, his next words speak of the difficulty of harvesting. It is dangerous, they are going out without any protection, and Jesus is deliberately not giving them any protection. Jesus himself is sent out like a lamb into the midst of wolves, and what will be his fate?? If we are willing to follow what is likely going to be our fate?? Wolves eat lambs!!!

It is following these two statements here that Jesus then gives them instructions. Not allowed to carry anything that you will depend on (no bag, purse, sandals). Greet NO ONE? Why not? This could speak to the urgency of their needing to get to the various towns that they are sent to, and greeting individual people along the road will sidetrack them from their greater purpose of preparing the towns for Jesus.

Jesus expands on how his disciples are supposed to receive the hospitality of those who welcome them. They are to say, “Peace to this house!” Words do have meanings, and carry great weight and actually do what we say!! For there to be peace between people peace must be extended and accepted. If it is the peace rests among the people. If it is not accepted it is interesting that the “peace” the disciples extended (realize here it is an actual thing extended like a hand, or an offering) will return to them. They won’t lose anything by extending peace to others!! They best possibility is that Peace will reign in the relationships. Worst case scenario is that their peace will return to them, and they will be no better off than before.

The disciples are to stay where they are welcomed, eating what is given, cure those who are sick, and proclaim to all that the “Kingdom of God has come near!” It is interesting to note that the message is the same whether the people accept them or reject them. It is just a matter of where they are making the proclamation; from within homes with peace surrounding their relationships, or outside in the streets where their peace has returned to the disciples. The message remains, “The Kingdom of God has come near!”

12-16 – What happens when we are not accepting of Peace??
Finally, a word to the disciples about those who reject this word, that Sodom will be treated better than those who reject them. This is powerful because we all know how Sodom was treated! These woes that follow against specific town further underscore that the in and through these disciples Jesus has given the full authority and power of God. That in coming into contact with these disciples the towns are coming into contact with the PRESENCE OF GOD in their midst, and when the disciples are rejected, Jesus (God) is rejected!! This obviously is a negative spin to the presence of God in their midst, but do we even realize the positive elements to actually having the presence of God in our midst? Do we realize the presence of God, or do we just figure God is far off and doesn’t pay any attention to us? It is very powerful to realize that Jesus has given us this same power and authority (not to bring down fire and brimstone like the disciples wanted to do earlier) to bring the Kingdom of God into people’s lives by our very presence together.

Pastors wear collars to signify our office in the church, and this collar shows the world who we are, and that we represent the Church (the Kingdom of God). When I am wearing the collar, even when I am alone, the church stands with me, I am not just Jeff, but I am a part of the Church of Christ, and speak for the Church. In representing the church Jesus says here that we bring the kingdom of God into people’s lives. This isn’t something just Pastor’s do, but all disciples are called to do in different ways. We, each, are called into different arenas to bring the kingdom of God into people’s lives by our presence.

Ten (?) Principles are Laid out in this Commission (Culpepper, p. 222)
1) The World needs us (laborers), the “harvest is plentiful!”
2) Prayer is key to getting laborers – “ask the Lord of the harvest…”
3) Disciples are called to “go” – be active in reaching out to others
4) There will be dangers
5) Have a focus about what you are doing, don’t be sidetracked
6) Create an atmosphere of PEACE, and no matter what proclaim “the kingdom of God has come near!!”
7) Pay attention to where you are placed, and to whom you are sent and be nice to them accepting everything provided with a gracious heart (which shows God’s acceptance of them!!)!!
8) Success is not measured always by acceptance, some will reject.
9) Persevere anyway, but do not bang your head against a brick wall, move on!!
10) The message remains the same and proclaim it to all, “the kingdom of God has come near!!”

17-24 – The Return & Celebration
The first thing that these disciples say that showed they were bringing the kingdom of God into people’s lives this time was that even the demons were submitting to them. They couldn’t do this before! Now they are trusting in God to work through them, and they are witnessing results, and they are filled with JOY!! Jesus responds with what can happen when we ourselves submit to God’s work in our lives, “Satan falls like a flash of lightening!!!” As we are obedient in being Jesus’ disciples the tide turns on Satan, his power languishes, and Satan’s authority is undercut, demons are cast out, and God (Jesus) rejoices!!

Despite the dangers nothing will hurt Jesus’ disciples, but Jesus cautions the disciples, that while they certainly may rejoice in all that have taken place, not to place their emphasis on the results of the power, rejoice rather that they have followed obediently and well!! Jesus cautions us about rejoicing when evil falls, and placing our rejoicing here. It seems as though Jesus isn’t rejoicing about vanquishing an opponent (he may actually be saddened that this opponent will not be turned toward God), but rather Jesus rejoices when the disciples, and when we are obediently following God in our lives. The woes to the towns also show the disciples that God will take care of judgment, that isn’t our place (like John wanted to bring down fire upon a town) it is reserved for God, and God alone!!

We have a wonderful Holy Trinity moment at v21-22, where Jesus rejoicing by the Holy Spirit speaks to the Father!! This is a relationship were true peace, true unity, true love reigns!! We hear again about this reversal of earthly ways; hiding things from the wise and intelligent, and revealing to infants. This may very well be the difference Jesus sees from his sending out the 12, and this sending out the 70. The 70 seem to have been more obedient than the 12 Jesus has been training up!! We hear Jesus proclaiming God’s will is being done by these disciples, and the kingdom of God is being revealed, through those Jesus has given the ability to “see.” Revelation of God comes through Jesus Christ. Jesus lifts the blinders from our eyes!

Finally Jesus gives a blessing and this blessing not only is a blessing on the disciples, but also a word of reminder for them to realize what a blessing has been bestowed on them. Many of the great prophets and kings that have come before truly desired to see these things, so marvel at what you are hearing and seeing because it doesn’t come to all people. Do we truly take the time to marvel when we see God at work in the world and in our lives? Do we take the time to see God at work? God is most definitely at work in and through us making his Kingdom known, maybe we need to pay attention more, and marvel more!!!