?Luke 10:1-29 - "The Seventy Sent Out" "The Joyous Results"?

In Luke 10:1-29, we encounter a rich and instructive passage known as "The Seventy Sent Out" and "The Joyous Results." This portion of the Gospel of Luke records Jesus sending out seventy of His disciples to proclaim the kingdom of God and perform miracles. It also includes the parable of the Good Samaritan, a powerful illustration of love and compassion.

As we explore Luke 10:1-29, we will examine both sections in detail, drawing out their spiritual insights and relevance to contemporary believers. In these verses, we find valuable lessons about mission, discipleship, and the transformative power of love and compassion.

Now Let’s Eat Some Meat!

Luke 10:1-16 (AMPC) - The Seventy Sent Out

1 Now after this the Lord chose and appointed seventy others and sent them out ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place where He Himself was about to come (visit).

In this opening verse, Jesus appoints seventy disciples and sends them out in pairs to prepare the way for His ministry. This action reflects the importance of teamwork and mission in the early Christian community and emphasizes the urgency of proclaiming the kingdom of God.

2 And He said to them, The harvest indeed is abundant [there is much ripe grain], but the farmhands are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

Jesus acknowledges the abundance of spiritual harvest but recognizes the need for more workers. He instructs the disciples to pray for laborers to be sent into the harvest. This verse highlights the significance of intercession and the role of prayer in mobilizing laborers for God's work.

3 Go your way; behold, I send you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.

Jesus prepares the disciples for the challenges they will face, comparing them to lambs among wolves. This verse reminds contemporary believers of the courage required to proclaim the gospel in a world that may oppose their message.

4 Carry no purse, no provisions bag, no [change of] sandals; refrain from [retarding your journey by] saluting and wishing anyone well along the way.

Jesus instructs the disciples to travel lightly, without extra provisions or distractions. This teaching emphasizes the urgency of their mission and the need for focused dedication to their task.

5 Whatever house you enter, first say, Peace be to this household! [Freedom from all the distresses that result from sin be with this family].

The disciples are instructed to bring peace and blessing to the households they enter. This verse underscores the importance of proclaiming God's peace and freedom from sin to those they encounter.

6 And if anyone [worthy] of peace and blessedness is there, the peace and blessedness you wish shall come upon him; but if not, it shall come back to you.

Jesus encourages His disciples to share peace and blessing, and their words will either find receptive hearts or return to them. This verse highlights the responsibility of believers to offer God's peace and blessings to others. It also speaks to the virtuous energy that brings God’s peace, blessings and healings, not unlike the energy Christ felt when the woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of His garment.

7 And stay on in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house.

The disciples are instructed to stay in the same house they enter, accepting the hospitality of those who welcome them. This verse emphasizes the principle of laborers being worthy of their support and encourages believers today to rely on God's provision through the hospitality of others.

8 Whenever you go into a town and they receive and accept and welcome you, eat what is set before you;

The disciples are told to receive the hospitality of those who welcome them. This verse reinforces the idea of humility and dependence on the hospitality of others.

9 And heal the sick in it and say to them, The kingdom of God has come close to you.

The disciples are empowered to perform miracles and proclaim the nearness of the kingdom of God. This verse highlights the power of healing and the transformational impact of God's presence in people's lives.

10 But whenever you go into a town and they do not receive and accept and welcome you, go out into its streets and say,

Jesus instructs the disciples on how to respond to rejection. This verse underscores the importance of continuing to proclaim the message even when faced with opposition.

11 Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we are wiping off against you; yet know and understand this: the kingdom of God has come near you [and you rejected it].

The act of shaking off the dust from their feet symbolizes the rejection of the town's message. This verse communicates the seriousness of rejecting the message of the kingdom of God and serves as a reminder to contemporary believers of the consequences of unbelief.

12 I tell you, it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that town.

Jesus warns that the judgment for those who reject the message will be severe. This verse underscores the responsibility of sharing the gospel message and the consequences of rejecting it.

13 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 long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

Jesus pronounces judgment on Chorazin and Bethsaida for their unbelief despite witnessing His miracles. This verse highlights the responsibility of those who have heard the gospel and the greater judgment they may face if they reject it.

14 However, it shall be more tolerable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.

Jesus emphasizes that the judgment will be more severe for those who reject the gospel after having witnessed His works. This verse underscores the significance of responding to the revelation of God's truth.

15 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted unto heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades (the regions of the dead).

Jesus warns Capernaum of impending judgment despite being exalted. This verse reminds contemporary believers of the importance of humility and repentance even in the face of privilege and opportunity.

16 He who hears and heeds you [disciples] hears and heeds Me; and he who slights and rejects you [disciples] slights and rejects Me; and he who slights and rejects Me slights and rejects Him [My Sender] Who sent Me.

Jesus conveys the connection between the disciples and Himself, emphasizing that those who hear and heed the disciples also hear and heed Him. This verse highlights the role of messengers in conveying the message of Christ and the consequences of rejecting it.

Luke 10:17-29 (AMPC) - The Joyous Results

17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!

The disciples return with joy, amazed by the authority they had in Jesus' name to cast out demons. This verse illustrates the joy and empowerment that come from participating in God's mission.

18 And He said to them, I saw Satan falling like a lightning [flash] from heaven.

Jesus reminds them of the fact the Word was with God and The Word (Him) became flesh. Jesus affirms His authority to empower them and affirms their experience by acknowledging the defeat of Satan through their ministry. This verse reminds contemporary believers of the spiritual authority they possess through Christ.

19 Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.

Jesus assures His disciples of the authority and protection they have been given over the enemy's power. This verse underscores the spiritual authority and protection available to believers today.

20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven.

Jesus redirects their joy, emphasizing the eternal significance of their salvation. This verse reminds contemporary believers to prioritize their relationship with God and their citizenship in His kingdom over temporal accomplishments.

21 In that same hour He rejoiced and gloried in the Holy Spirit and said, I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have concealed these things [relating to salvation] from the wise and understanding and learned, and revealed them to babes (the childish, unskilled, and untaught). Yes, Father, for such was Your gracious will and choice and good pleasure.

Jesus rejoices in the Holy Spirit, thanking God for revealing salvation to the humble and untaught while hiding it from the wise and learned. This verse emphasizes God's sovereign choice in revealing the mysteries of His kingdom.

22 All things have been given over into My power 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 may choose to reveal and make Him known.

Jesus asserts His unique relationship with the Father and the exclusivity of the knowledge of God through Him. This verse highlights Jesus' role as the revealer of God to humanity.

23 Then turning to His disciples, He said privately, Blessed (happy, to be envied) are those whose eyes see what you see!

Jesus blesses His disciples for the privilege of witnessing His ministry and the revelation of God's truth. This verse reminds contemporary believers of the blessing of experiencing the presence and work of Christ in their lives.

24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings longed to see what you see and they did not see it, and to hear what you hear and they did not hear it.

Jesus emphasizes the uniqueness of His disciples' experience, noting that even prophets and kings of old longed to witness what His disciples were witnessing. This verse underscores the significance of living in the era of Christ's ministry and the revelation of God's truth.

25 And then a certain lawyer arose to try (test, tempt) Him, saying, Teacher, what am I to do to inherit everlasting life [that is, to partake of eternal salvation in the Messiah's kingdom]?

A lawyer approaches Jesus, seeking to test Him by asking about inheriting eternal life. This sets the stage for the famous parable of the Good Samaritan.

26 Jesus said to him, What is written in the Law? How do you read it?

Jesus responds by asking the lawyer to interpret the Law, inviting him to reflect on his own understanding of the Scriptures.

27 And he replied, You must 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.

The lawyer correctly summarizes the essence of the Law, emphasizing love for God and neighbor. This verse echoes the foundational principles of love and compassion found in the Old Testament.

28 And Jesus said to him, You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live [enjoy active, blessed, endless life in the kingdom of God].

Jesus affirms the lawyer's answer and connects it to the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God. This verse underscores the centrality of love in the Christian faith and the promise of eternal life for those who follow the commandment of love.

29 And he, determined to acquit himself of reproach, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?

The lawyer seeks to justify himself by asking Jesus to define the scope of "neighbor." This question leads to the parable of the Good Samaritan, which we will talk about tomorrow.

Relevance to Today's Believers:

Mission and Ministry: The sending of the seventy underscores the importance of mission and the need for workers to proclaim the kingdom of God. Believers today are reminded of their role in advancing God's kingdom.

Spiritual Authority: Jesus' affirmation of the disciples' authority over demons highlights the spiritual authority available to believers in Christ. It encourages them to exercise their authority in spiritual warfare.

Joy in Salvation: Jesus redirects the disciples' joy from accomplishments to the security of their salvation. This reminds contemporary believers to find their ultimate joy in their relationship with God.

Exclusive Revelation: Jesus emphasizes His role as the revealer of God, reinforcing the exclusivity of the knowledge of God through Him. This highlights the significance of Jesus as the way to the Father.

Love and Compassion: The parable of the Good Samaritan underscores the importance of loving one's neighbor and practicing compassion. It challenges believers today to extend love and mercy to all, regardless of differences.

The Commandment of Love: Jesus affirms the centrality of love for God and neighbor as the path to eternal life. This commandment remains foundational for contemporary believers, guiding their actions and priorities.

In conclusion, Luke 10:1-29 provides contemporary believers with spiritual guidance on mission, spiritual authority, joy in salvation, exclusive revelation through Christ, love and compassion, and the commandment of love. This exposition delves into the passage, revealing its relevance and transformative potential in the lives of believers today, shaping their understanding of discipleship and the values of God's kingdom.

If You Have Ears to Hear, Then Hear It!