Luke’s Gospel: Assignment

They graduated from disciples to apostles because Jesus sent them out, two by two, with a mission.

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Things get simpler when one has an assignment from the Captain.
So it was with 70 of Jesus’ hand-picked disciples. They graduated from disciples to apostles because Jesus sent them out, two by two, with a mission. They were to be traveling men, traveling to the towns and villages targeted to receive the ministry of Jesus on His way to Jerusalem. They were sent out with the power of Jesus’ name, power over demons, which was a necessity. Hell marshaled armies of demons to oppose the 70 in their forerunner ministry of preparing people for the arrival of Jesus.

Special Instructions to the Seventy
Jesus was detailed in His instructions for how this mission was to be carried out.
• The whole point was what He called “the harvest.” By that Jesus meant people. People needed Him—His Word, His touch, His presence. There was so much pain, so much injustice, so much confusion, and so little hope. The harvest was great but the laborers were few. They should go on this mission prayerfully, in constant communication with “the Lord of the Harvest.”
• They were going into harm’s way, as “lambs among wolves.” They should expect resistance, subterfuge, and organized opposition.
• They should travel light, taking the minimum of provisions, and entertaining no strangers.
• To their potential hosts, they should grant the peace of God. If it was refused, they should take the peace back and move on.
• They must look to people for support and receive it without question, settling into one home until the work was done.
• They should heal the sick in Jesus’ name, proving their message:’The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
• They should hit the streets with the same message and not be concerned with those who do not hear.

Jesus Pronounces Woe
Jesus knew that even with the impressive advance ministry of these 70 effective disciples, healing the sick and delivering people from demonic influence, most people would reject the good news of the Kingdom of God coming near. With sadness, He pronounced the results of their impending rejection of Him. Three cities and their surrounding regions received the prediction of calamity for their lack of faith: Chorazin, and Capernaum. Had the wicked historical cities of Tyre and Sidon received such demonstration of power, they would have repented. Specifically, the pride of Capernaum would drag that city to hell itself for their rejection of the Messiah.

The Seventy Return
Returning from their mission with glowing reports of success, especially their power over demons, the seventy gathered to their Captain. He rejoiced with them and shared with them an ancient secret—Jesus had power over Satan because He had seen him fall from grace ages ago! He warned His men not to rejoice in spiritual power only, but to rejoice more that they have been made a part of the Kingdom. Remembering this would save them from the corruption of pride.

Jesus rejoiced over His successful soldiers with such sweet detail, it was almost a song of joy! To the men, this song was sweeter than their record of success. To bring joy to Jesus was the greatest joy of all. Today, we should remember this secret: we bring joy to Jesus when we do what He asks us to do. Things get simpler when one has an assignment from the Captain.

Scriptures:
Luke: 10:1-24
After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’ But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.” Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You give my life meaning. Your will gives me purpose. It is so amazing to think that You would want to use me in Your service, but this is plain in the Bible. It is also pounding in my heart. My days are not random 24 hour periods of meaninglessness; they are assignments from Your Throne of Grace! You have shown me the Path of Life where You have laid out work for me to do for You. May You always smile when You look my way because You find me busy with today’s assignment. Amen!

Song:
I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go
Words: Mary Brown; Music: Carrie E. Rounsefell
1. It may not be on the mountain’s height, Or over the stormy sea;
It may not be at the battle’s front My Lord will have need of me.
But if by a still, small voice He calls To paths I do not know,
I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in Thine,
“I’ll go where You want me to go.”

Refrain:
I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord, Over mountain, or plain, or sea.
I’ll say what You want me to say, dear Lord. I’ll be what You want me to be.

2. Perhaps today there are loving words Which Jesus would have me speak;
There may be now, in the paths of sin, Some wand’rer whom I should seek.
O Savior, if Thou wilt be my Guide, Tho’ dark and rugged the way,
My voice shall echo the message sweet,
I’ll say what you want me to say.
Refrain

3. There’s surely somewhere a lowly place In earth’s harvest fields so wide
Where I may labor thro’ life’s short day For Jesus, the Crucified;
So, trusting my all to Thy tender care,
And knowing Thou lovest me, I’ll do Thy will with a heart sincere,
I’ll be what You want me to be.
Refrain

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About the Author

Full of passion for Jesus Christ, Stephen Phifer is a third-generation minister with more than three decades of experience as a pastoral artist, worship leader, and conductor.