Jesus Sends Even More

Jesus sent out the chosen twelve disciples into the cities to spread His word. Now He sends out 72 more. God’s message is spreading!

Because we don’t have a single gospel that gives us a definite timeline of all that Jesus did, it is assumed that this is a separate event from Jesus sending out the twelve disciples. Those that Jesus sends this time are those who have been following Him as He moves back and forth through the nation of Israel. These are also those that chose to stay, even when His message got hard. I suppose that these are all the men who were following Him. This probably included sending the twelve disciples out again.

We also get a brief synopsis of the results of their labors. They went with the same authority as the original group, and instructions. And their return was just as jubilant. This is just the beginning though, in terms of reaching out to the hurting world with the good news.

Let’s rejoin our story as Jesus sends out a larger group to teach more people for the Lord.

Holy Spirit, thank You for carrying me during this time that I’m struggling. Thank You for giving me peace and grace when it comes to telling Your stories regularly. Please guide my journey today. Help me to see the story as it unfolds. Show me what You would have me take from it for my own life. And help me stay focused, no matter how many interruptions come between now and the end of the story.

♥ ♦ ♥

Jesus’ time is quickly ticking by. His disciples know nothing about the timeline, but He does. He knows the time is short. His people need to be equipped and ready for the days when He no longer walks with them.

“It’s time Abba. Time to step up their training.”

“Send them out, Son. I’ll watch over them.”

Jesus already knew this, but it feels good to hear it, nonetheless. He is about to commission the biggest missionary message yet, of His life. And it is going to come as a complete surprise to His followers.

It is nearing time for Jesus and His followers to take an afternoon break. It’s too hot to travel in the middle of the day. “John, go and find us a place to rest” Jesus says.

John hurries ahead and locates a nice shady spot. There are a few scrub trees and overhangs from the face of the rocks to provide shade. He hurries back to Jesus and leads the way.

As everyone is reclining against the rocks and enjoying the shade, Jesus stands up. He steps out into the middle of the group so that everyone can see Him.

“I have a job for many of you to do.”

All eyes are on Jesus. Everyone is alert and waiting for whatever He has for them to do.

“As I did earlier with My chosen disciples, I’m choosing seventy-two of you and sending you out into the cities and towns to preach the good news to the people. You will go out in groups of two, just as the disciples did. ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace be to this house!” And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.” I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town’ (Luke 10:2-12).”

Jesus looks out across the landscape towards the cities where He has spent the most time. Capernaum, Chorazin, and Bethsaida. All on the Sea of Galilee and where He performed so MANY miracles. With all He had done in their midst, they still doubted and did not turn to God.

 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works 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 bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades” (Luke 10:13-15).

Jesus returns His attention to those sitting before Him. With steel in His voice He says; “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me” (Luke 10:16).

No one doubts Jesus’ words or misunderstands His meaning. Jesus is the Son of God. Rejecting Him is rejecting the Lord. They all take comfort in knowing that Jesus stands behind each of them, in power and authority.

Jesus begins paring up the large group. As each group is formed, He prays over them and asks God to give them the authority to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, and stand against the forces that would come against them.

Jesus tells each pair which cities to visit as they begin dispersing. They are going ahead of Him and His core group of disciples. Everyone is excited and talking about what they might see as they make their way into the far reaches of Israel. Each town brings more excitement and wonder. Very few villages or towns reject them. Those that do, receive the pronouncement Jesus gave them.

While this large group is out and about, preaching the gospel, Jesus continues on His journey through the towns. His chosen disciples, those who were not named, and the women who travel with Him remain at His side. There is little time left for training and Jesus wants to make the most of every moment they have together.

Jesus is teaching in a city along the way when a lawyer happens to be in the group. He has another ‘test’ to try and trip Jesus up. He stands up to get Jesus’ attention. Once Jesus looks his way, he begins.

“Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25)

Jesus knows his heart. He will put this man to the test. “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” (Luke 10:26).

Standing tall, he throws his shoulders back and proudly answers Jesus. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27).

Jesus nods. “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live” (Luke 10:28).

Our lawyer isn’t done yet. Jesus answered this question too easily, so he poses another.

“And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29).

Knowing the man’s heart, and those of the people around Him, He tells them a story. “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” (Luke 10:30-36).

The lawyer has but one answer he could give. “The one who showed him mercy” (Luke 10:37a).

Jesus looks him straight in the eyes. “You go, and do likewise” (Luke 10:37b).

That ended the lawyer’s argument and test. It is up to him now to put Jesus’ words into action.

Three months go by and the seventy-two return to Jesus with great joy. They all meet up again in the hills of Capernaum. Everyone is talking at once. Jesus holds up His hand for silence.

“One at a time, so I can attend to each of your stores” Jesus says with a smile.

The first pair starts everyone off. “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” (Luke 10:17).

Jesus speaks out victoriously! “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you…”

Jesus looks them each in the eye before continuing on. “…Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:17-20).

Jesus listens to each report. They are all excellent and show the hand of the Lord at work through these men and in the hearts of the people. Jesus is overwhelmed with joy! He begins to pray to His Abba before His disciples.

“I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.  All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” (Luke 10:21-22).

The group begins to break up into smaller groups and they share their experiences with one another. Jesus turns to His core group of disciples. “Walk with Me a little way.”

They all follow Jesus a short distance from the large group. He looks at each of them with love shining through His eyes. “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Luke 10:23-24).

This will be an experience that NONE will forget. Some will eventually look back on this day as one of the most significant events in their lives. Others will see it as one of the first bricks in the foundation Jesus laid for them. The foundation that will eventually be the foundation for the church.

(to be continued)

I don’t know what became of the seventy-two. I’m assuming that many of them became part of the early church and helped out wherever they could. The disciples became the central ruling body as they spent the most time with Jesus and heard His words personally.

How many of the seventy-two made this a ‘one and done’ experience? How many were like Judas; going through the motions? Did Judas experience the same level of commitment and results as the others? Or did he stand out even then? Was he initially sold out to Jesus?

My heart still hurts for Judas. Yes. He did an UNTHINKABLE sin. That was part of God’s plan. He was chosen to play that role. Could he have repented? Would he have been forgiven? I have to believe so, but he didn’t. To him, there was no going back. He had done the unpardonable.

Peter could have done the same thing after his BIG sin. But he didn’t. He came back and asked for forgiveness. There but for the grace of God…

I got side tracked again. Sorry God. But maybe that track is where You wanted me to wander.

Father God, thank You for EACH building block in the foundation You have laid in my life. Help me stand firm on them and never turn from Your truths.

Let me also be the ‘good Samaritan’ when You present me with opportunities. I know I can’t heal all the world’s hurts, but I can do something for those You bring me to. I’m sorry for all the missed opportunities to minister to ‘my neighbors’ over the years. I pray I don’t miss any more.