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, then it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking 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.’ Luke 10:1-9
The commissioning of the seventy is recorded only in Luke. Moses also appointed seventy elders as his representatives (Numbers 11:16) the twelve disciples had been sent to Galilee (Luke 9:1-6), the seventy were sent into every city and place where Jesus was about to go. Two by two —As the twelve had been sent, possibily because they would face hostility and persecution, with spiritual warfare. Yet, they were to be as lambs among wolves, meaning innocent about matters of their day, leaving the results of their circumstances to the Lord. The disciples were not to pack any extra clothing nor baggage for their journey, but merely the clothes on their backs. Greet no one—A typical greeting of that day was a cultural elaborate ceremony, involving many formalities. Jesus’ instructions were spoken in terms of shortness of time and the greater need of urgency for their task without seeming rude.
Pray to the Lord of the harvest—The Lord spoke of the spiritual harvest of souls for salvation. Jesus also affirms the fact that believer’s prayers play a very important part in the fulfillment of God’s plans. With these instructions these early Christians were going to be demonstrating the power of God and bring refreshing good news to the lost and lowly people of their day. We today are doing the same things when we pray ahead of us, that what were are doing this day would be to further the gospel message of Jesus Christ. He is what people in our lives today need more than anything else. People ask me to pray for someone who is sick, or suffering from injury, but what often I find myself praying is for their heart’s most deepest spiritual need to be met first. Then, it is to glory of God that healing and deliverance would come. But our faith and trust has to be in the Lord first and foremost, seeking His will above all matters.
The apostle Peter wrote, But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all else have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone minsters, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 4:7-11).
Beloved friend, accept Jesus invitation of eternal life through faith in Him. Come to that place of determining that the Bible is God’s Word of knowledge and truth about Him, and our need for Him, and is for everyone to know. That we may say as the psalmist David, “ O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; My soul thirst for You; My flesh longs for You, in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1)
May the Lord bless your walk today!
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