  
|
|
About-Him.Com Devotional 07-17-04
142: The Seventy Sent Forth - Lu. 10:1-16
Luke 10:1 ¶ After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
During months of extreme opposition, Jesus conducted His ministry in areas of Galilee and Decopolis, away from the religious center at Jerusalem. Now the time was drawing closer. In a few months, He would meet His appointed destiny at Calvary.
As He made the journey southward, He would preach the good news of the kingdom to all who would hear. For this purpose, He appointed seventy disciples to prepare the way for Him.
They were to go, in pairs, to all the cities and villages that lay on the route to Judea and Jerusalem. Their message was simple,"The kingdom of God is here, repent and believe." If the people of the town received them, then a visit from Jesus would be on the agenda. if not, their rejection would be duly noted at the day of judgment.
Jesus pronounced woes upon the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum because although they had been privileged to hear Him and to see His many miracles, they rejected Him. It will be more tolerable for the wicked cities of Sodom, Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment. If they had heard the same message and seen the same works, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes.
The seventy were to travel in a simple manner without money or extra clothing. They were to go forth as lambs among wolves. Their reliance was to be on the Lord to provide their needs. They were not to go from house to house, but remain in the first home that received them and to eat whatever was set before them.
They were empowered to heal the sick as a sign that the kingdom of God was near.
Conclusion and Application:
Jesus knew His time was drawing near and He did not shy away from it. He knew His purpose, he was to die for the sins of mankind at Calvary. He organized an efficient team to go before Him. If a town or village was not open to the gospel, He would not bother to visit them ,but would go on to where there were willing listeners. Jesus still favors efficiency. The message is still the same, "the kingdom of God is here, repent and believe the gospel!"
While some of the instructions to the seventy, regarding taking no money or extra clothing, were probably specific to this mission, it is good to remember that success of ministry is dependent on much more than our carnal efforts and or finances. we are to simply go and leave the results to the Lord.
The seventy traveled in pairs. They would thus be able to uplift and encourage each other. They would also provide each other a check and balance. If one were to err from the instructions of the Master the other be sure to call it to his attention.
Some of today’s high powered ministries would not bother to preach the message of the kingdom to any town or village without an advance of thousands of dollars. That’s sad and will be addressed at the day of judgment, in my opinion.
Jesus pronounced woes upon those cities who had heard His message many times and still rejected it. What does that say to countries such as the U.S. who have been saturated with the gospel and still not received it? Unto whom much is given, much is required!
The healing of the sick was a sign that the kingdom of God was nigh. Well the kingdom of God is here and healing is very much a part of the blood covenant. It was purchased by the blood of our Savior. By His stripes, we were healed.
In About-Him
Our Audio Sermons http://about-him.com/sermonlink.html
Our Music http://about-him.com/audio.html
Our Bible Studies - http://about-him.com/bslinkpage.html
Our devotionals - http://about-him.com/devotionlink.html
Humor
When the employees of a restaurant attended a fire safety seminar, they watched a fire official demonstrate the proper way to operate an extinguisher.
"Pull the pin like a hand grenade," he explained, then press the trigger to release the foam.
Later an employee was selected to extinguish a controlled fire in the parking lot. In her nervousness, she forgot to pull the pin.
The instructor hinted, "Like a hand grenade, remember?"
In a burst of confidence she pulled the pin ... and hurled the extinguisher at the blaze.
Quote
Many things--such as loving, going to sleep, or behaving unaffectedly--are done worst when we try hardest to do them. -- C. S.Lewis
Keep Looking Up!
Don & Marie Spooner
About Him! Ministries
Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@about-him.com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe@about-him.com
The purpose of About-Him.Com is to glorify the Lord Jesus
Christ whom we preach as the Almighty God manifest in the flesh.
It is our desire that everything presented on these pages increases your
faith in our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
|