Mission Not Impossible
Opening Prayer
Take a few moments now to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).
Read LUKE 10:1-16
[1] After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. [2] He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. [3] Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. [4] Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. [5] “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ [6] If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. [7] Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. [8] “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. [9] Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ [10] But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, [11] ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ [12] I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. [13] “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. [14] But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. [15] And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. [16] “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What principle(s) were behind Jesus' commands here?Jesus chose and trained disciples to partner with him in his mission (see also 9:1-6) and carry on for him later. Consider some aspects of their mandate for mission: their task is dangerous (3a), sometimes inviting rejection (10); the task is urgent, demanding single-minded dedication (4b). They must learn dependence on, and contentment with, God’s provision, experienced through the hospitality of others (4a,7,8); they must proclaim peace, without declaring war upon those who oppose them (5,6), and keep judgment an integral part of their proclamation (10,11). Their task is to proclaim God’s kingdom in word and deed (9) and their mission field is ultimately the whole earth—”seventy-two” (1) probably represents the nations of the world.
This is one huge undertaking! Yet it is not impossible, and the responsibilities are not burdens, for the disciples are not judged by results. If people listen, it is really Jesus they are listening to, so the disciples take no credit; similarly, if people reject them, it is Jesus who is being rejected, so neither blame nor shame attaches to them (16). It is this truth that makes mission possible.
Apply
Are you burdened by the responsibilities God entrusted to you? Is it because you are too concerned with results?
Closing prayer
Lord, help me to rely on You and Your power and provision so that I can do Your work faithfully, whatever it may be.
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