* "The Mission of the Seventy" was made possible by "The Artsy Bible Study".
>1. Why did Jesus send out the seventy-two?
* Luke 10:1 "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."
* Luke is the only one to record this event. Luke records many events unique to his gospel, starting in Luke 9:51 (or 10:1) till Luke 18:14 (i.e., the sending of the seventy-two in 10:1-23, a unique visit to Martha and Mary's house in 10:38-42, ten healed of leprosy in 17:11-19). Much in these eight plus chapters are parables unique to Luke's gospel. (See a chart comparing Jesus' parables by using the link above.) Luke 18:15, Matthew 19:13, and Mark 10:13 record the same event, people bringing little children to Jesus. The events only recorded in Luke's mid-chapters seems to document events that happened during Jesus' trip to Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication (winter) as John 10:22 records, and his last trip just before Jesus was crucified during the Feast of Passover (spring). If these facts are true than its possible that Luke 13:22, 31, 14:25 or Luke 17:11 or Luke 18:31 documents the start of Jesus' final trip to Jerusalem. (See chart.)
* "the Lord" -The original Greek is "kyrios" (a transliteration) from which we get Christ. Most English translations have "the Lord" here.
* "seventy-two" -Some old manuscripts have seventy. The KJV, ASV, GW, YLT, and HCSB keep to the seventy. The NIV and CSB notes this. The seventy is not heard of again, accept Judas' replacement came from the seventy. (Acts 1:151-26) Other apostles mentioned in Acts and the letters also came from the seventy. (Acts 4:36, 14:14, 15:22; Romans 16:7)
* "appointed" -The original Greek has "anadeiknymi" (a transliteration) is actually the joining to two Greek words, "ana" and "deiknymi". "Ana" is a preposition and adverb meaning "two-by-two" and "each". "Deiknymi" is a verb meaning "show", "appoint", and "exhibit".
* "ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go." -Jesus wanted them to prepare the way for him. Jesus's intent was to draw all to him so he could teach them.
>Why two by two? (Compare this with the event in 9:1-9)
* The names of these we have not in the evangelist, only that Christ sent them out, and that he sent them two and two, which might be for their better mutual assistance of each other, and also for their mutual testimony one for another. (Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible.)
* When one stumbles or becomes sick the other can help them. They can encourage each other and share the choirs of travel and ministry.
>2. How did Jesus view the sin-sick world into which he was sending the seventy-two?
* Luke 10:2 "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.'"
* "The harvest is plentiful" -Jesus often compares people to a field, in this case a field ready for harvest. "The harvest is plentiful" means many needed to be brought into the kingdom of God in Jesus' days. Today is not different. There still are a lot of people who need to be brought into the kingdom of God.
* "the workers are few" -Later, Paul's letters would refer to the workers of the field. God appoints people to seek a harvest.
* Before Jesus went through Samaria, he sent 36 pairs (seventy-two lay persons) ahead of the group traveling with him. The twelve apostles were not sent with them. The laymen were instructed to go into every town and place where he was about to go. Luke did not use a Greek adjective that would designate them as men. Rather, he used the adjective "heteros" which could include male and female, though considering the culture none were probably a pair of women.
With a passion for bringing many people into the kingdom of God through faith in him, Jesus regretted that not enough had accepted his call to follow him. This is perhaps why Luke recorded right before this passage three rejecting the call and Jesus's response to their rejection. Luke, as a layman, not a leader like the apostles understood the importance of accepting Jesus' call to the layman's mission field.
Jesus told the seventy-two laymen, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Jesus refers to laymen as field workers. We are the ones who prepare the field, plant the seed, look for weeds, and harvest the crop which is actually little different than the call of the twelve.
A layman's call is not easy. We are lambs working amongst wolves. We have to live by faith that the Lord will meet our personal financial needs and our mission's financial needs. We live by faith, not by wealth's strength. Our mission is a one-by-one encounter. We depend on God and the companion he calls to walk with us. Few laymen are remembered in history, yet church history would have stopped if not for their continued mission work.
* This illustration by unknown author is now in public domain. Luke 10:18 is cited. Satan is falling in the upper left and an angel is writing names in the upper right as Jesus instructs the seventy. The image was made possible by "The Bible Revival".
Listen to the above comments on Luke 10:1-4.
>What prayer topic did he teach them?
* "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
* "Ask" -prayer topic.
* "Lord of the harvest" -Jesus is the Lord of the harvest. However, here he equates that with his Father.
* "to send out workers into his harvest field." -Jesus's children are workers in his harvest field.
* Matthew 9:35-38 is not the same event, though Jesus used the same illustration. "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"
* Matthew 21:33-34 records Jesus's harvest parable. "Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit."
>What imperative command did he give them even though he knew the risks involved?
* Luke 10:3 "Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves."
* "Go" -a direct command. He is sending them out into the harvest field.
* "lambs" -vulnerable.
* "among wolves" -Every field has wolves. Wolves look to kill the lambs.
* The true Christian will experience the breath of the wolf. If someone claims to be Christian but does not obey Jesus' call to go, then the wolf will have little interest in hindering their life.
>What can we learn about Jesus' mind and mission? (Matt. 18:14)
* Matthew 18:14 "In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."
* "but the workers are few" -Jesus was telling them this because he wanted them to have compassion on these people as he had compassion on them. He wanted them to be workers in the field. All Christian need to be workers in the field. All workers need to learn from Jesus how he brought people into his field to be workers.
* "Ask the Lord of the harvester" -Jesus teach us Christians to pray as the first and most important part of raising up workers for Christ and the good of his Church.
* Three applications to the field needing to be harvested:
1) The little ones is the state of sinful man. Jesus left heaven to save men. God and all heaven with him expresses great joy when one person is saved. God never wills his people to be lost.
2) A believer is offended or stumbles over a stumbling block and falls away from grace. Yet God still loves that one and looks after him or her. In the end they are returned with great joy.
3) The lost tribes of Israel and the gentiles. When Judah (some of Benjamin and Levites too) sinned they repented and returned to the Lord, though only a few did. The other tribes did not repent. Also, the gentiles have been away from God. Now the gospel has gone out to the gentiles, and among them are the lost tribes of Israel. God is reaching out his arm of salvation to them. Ephesians 2:11-13 states, "Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)-- remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ."
II. And Tell Them, "The Kingdom of God is Near" (4-16)
* Titled "Jesus Sends Out the Seventy", this illustration is from a book by Dilherr, Johannes Michael, 1604-1669 is now in public domain. The book's title is "Hohe Schul des höchsten Lehrers und seiner Schüler : das ist, Christliche Anweisung zu gottseeliger Betrachtung des Lebens und der Lehre Jesu Christi und seiner lieben Apostel und Evangelisten, derer Bildnissen ... mit sind beigefügt. Samt einem Anhang von den siebenzig Jüngern und von dem Glaubens-Bekenntnis Claudii, des Königs in Mohrenland ... / Fürgestellet von Johann Michael Dilherrn ..."
This woodcut is illustrating Jesus sending out seventy followers to spread the Gospel.
Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.
>3. What instructions did Jesus give about equipment? (4)
* Luke 10:4 "Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road."
* "a purse" -used for money.
* "bag" -Used for goods and food.
* "sandals" -A back-up pair.
* "do not greet anyone on the road" -Move along quickly. Get to the populated cities and towns.
>Why do you think he wanted them to travel light?
* Jesus would be arriving in Samaria soon. He was sending them ahead to prepare the populated areas. Demon activity had increased when Jesus started him mission. He wanted them to drive out the demons (unclean spirits) so his preaching would not be hindered.
>4. What was to be their greeting to potential believers? (5-7)
* Luke 10:5-7 "When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house."
* "When you enter a house" -They needed a place to stay. The seventy-two (or seventy) who were Jews were to enter a Samaritan house. Very unusual and would not have been easy to do.
* "Peace to this house." -Shalom in Hebrew. The original Greek is "eirene" (a transliteration). This was a common greeting at that time meaning "Peace to this house". Samaria was a mixed religion not use to Jews entering their area because of racial bigotry and religious pride. They were give a common Jewish greeting.
>Why?
* Jesus gives the thirty-six laymen evangelistic (i.e., missionaries to their region) pairs some instructions before they go to their mission field. I, like most Christians, am a layman evangelist; that is, I do not receive pay from my local congregation. I can learn some good advice from this on how to obtain a hundredfold crop.
Jesus does not give a detailed plan for which village to visit and when to do so, nor does He tell them which towns to avoid. He simply said, "Every town and place where I am about to go." (It isn't a quote, only Luke's comment.)
First, I must show love and respect to those who accept the good news Jesus taught me. I am to bless them verbally with words of peace. I am to love them as I have been and still am loved. They may or may not accept the mission of grace. I am not to grow angry or seek revenge. Instead, I am to expect to remain a man of peace.
I am to accept where God opens the door by staying where he opens people's hearts. If a ministry is bearing fruit, then water and fertilize it. Sure, some aspects may be unpleasant for a while, like learning Java and Perl (HTML and CSS were not as bad). Yet, God has appointed me and is working through me. I am blessed.
So keep working in the field that shows eternal kingdom potential. If I receive support from his work then thank God and be blessed. However, in over thirty years of online evangelical ministry, I have never received enough to pay the mission bills let alone eat and drink from offerings. Still, I see many coming every day to read and hear the good news. So, I stay in the house of online ministry, the modern-day tent evangelism. Personally, I believe that tent evangelism is better because it was more personal. However, that type of ministry was my before and my now is as God instructed me through a pastor to begin an online ministry. I am staying in this house now.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 10:5-7.
>5. What was their ministry? (8-9)
* Luke 10:8-9 "When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.'"
* "eating and drinking whatever they give you" -Repeated twice, first in 7 and now in verse 8. Jesus repeated it probably because it would have been hard to accept. They did not need to follow Jewish food requirements. The Samaritans did not strictly follow the food commandments in the Law of Moses.
* "for the worker deserves his wages" -from verse 7 and it is in the instructions to the twelve apostles. Food was the pay for the mission work.
* "Do not move around from house to house." -So the townsfolk could find them easily.
>What was their message?
* "The kingdom of God is near you." -Jesus is the king. Where his is, there is the kingdom of God.
* They were to tell the people, the king is coming.
* The people were to be ready.
* The same instructions given to the twelve recorded in Matthew and Mark. (Matthew 10:11, 15; Mark 6:10-11.) There is some difference in words. Matthew says, "...inquire who in the city is worthy," and Luke 10:13, "...if the house be worthy... if the son of peace be there," they both mean the same thing: if there be any in it, that belong to God's election of grace, any whom God intends by you to call, and make partakers of the peace of the gospel.
>What should this mean to us?
* Jesus is still instructing the seventy-two laymen evangelists before they enter the Samaria mission field. They are to be attentive to the people's reaction to the good news. If the town welcomes them they are to eat what is given them, heal the sick, and preach, "The kingdom of God is near you." They are to practice what Jesus has taught and teach what Jesus has practiced.
Jesus tells the seventy-two (or seventy) that if the people of a town reject their message they are to give a non-violent visual display of the result of rejection. The town can keep its dirt because even the dirt will not be part of the kingdom of God. Even though the town rejects them, the disciples are to preach, "The kingdom of God is near." Perhaps one or two will leave the town to walk with the disciples.
Jesus' instruction continues with the theme of the outcome of those who reject or accept the message of the kingdom of God. The disciples are not to take the rejection personally. Jesus preached and performed many miracles in Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. Many there did not accept Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. The citizens of these Jewish towns will find it worse on the day of Judgement than the gentile towns of Tyre and Sidon. Jesus visited those towns and did few miracles and many believed (Mark 3:8, 7:24-37).
As I dispense the message of Jesus and his kingdom Jesus says, "He who listens to me listens to Jesus; he who rejects me rejects Jesus; but he who rejects Jesus rejects him who sent Jesus." I do not need to be apologetic or sentimental.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 10:8-16.
>6. In case of rejection, how were they to act and what were they to say?
* Luke 10:10-12 "But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.' I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town."
* "But when you enter a town and are not welcomed" -Success in not guaranteed. Only obedience to my call is expected. Rejection from those I am sent to is also a possibility.
* "go into its streets and say" -make a public display for all to see.
* "Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you."
* "I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town."
>What does the message "the Kingdom of God is near," mean to those who reject the gospel? (11b)
* "Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near." -This was their message whether the people accepted them or not.
* "Basileia Theos" (a transliteration) is the original Greek. Jesus and the apostles spoke Aramaic as most did in Palestine. Jewish boys would learn Hebrew enough to read from the Bible, but did not speak it. Greek was the language of commerce, spoken by most Hellenistic Jews, those scattered among the Greeks. Most people who knew how to read, could speak it too. This is why the New Testament was written mostly in Greek.
* Modern day Bible translators use the common name for God in the language they are translating the Bible into, just as the apostles did. Aramaic is Allah. Greek is Theos. This does not mean that the religion of Muhammad or the Greek pantheon is correct. For the same reason, the Old Testament has several words that refer to God and Jesus, the Messiah who was to come.
* Jesus wanted all to have a chance to accept him and his kingdom. The seventy-two (or seventy) were to peach to all and everyone.
* Biblical Hebrew, also called Classical Hebrew, is an archaic form of the Hebrew language, a language in the Canaanite branch of Semitic languages spoken by the Israelites in the area known as the Land of Israel, roughly west of the Jordan River and east of the Mediterranean Sea. The term "Hebrew" was not used for the language in the Hebrew Bible. Rather, it was referred to as the language of Canaan or Judaean in Ancient Greek and Mishnaic Hebrew texts.
The Hebrew language is attested in inscriptions from about the 10th century BC, when it was almost identical to Phoenician and other Canaanite languages, and spoken Hebrew persisted through and beyond the Second Temple period, which ended in the siege of Jerusalem (70 AD). It eventually developed into Mishnaic Hebrew, spoken until the fifth century AD.
>7. How were Tyre and Sidon different from Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum?
* Luke 10:13-15 "Woe to you, Korazin! 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. But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths."
* Matthew 11:21-24 records Jesus saying this on another occasion.
* "Korazin" -also spelled "Chorazin". This was a city less than five miles north of the Sea of Galilee. It's neighbor, Capernaum, was south of Korazin and was on shore of the Sea of Galilee. Korazin was on the eastern edge of the Plain of Gennesaret. Jesus' base was in Capernaum. Since Korazin was so close to Capernaum Jesus must have visited Korazin a lot. Jesus definitely would have went through Chorazin on his way to Tyre. Korazin is a possible sight of the Sermon of the Mount. Korazin has been excavated in modern times. It is a site were many Jews lived in Jesus' time. Korazin was considered a part of the promised land by God as said to Moses and was in the land of the Kingdom of David.
* "Bethsaida" -Bethsaida was on the northern shore of the see of Galilee. Bethsaida's neighbor, Capernaum was less than five miles to the west. Bethsaida was on the southern edge of the Plains of Bethsaida. Bethsaida is a possible sight of the feeding of the multitudes. Mark 8:22-26 says that Jesus healed a blind man in this city and Matthew 14:22-23 says that Jesus walked on water at this sight. It is a sight were many Jews lived in Jesus' time. Bethsaida was considered a part of the promised land by God as said to Moses and was in the land of the Kingdom of David.
At least three of Jesus' disciples were from Bethsaida. This was not enough repentance to justify saving Bethsaida from Jesus denouncement and God's eventual wrath. Just as in Abraham's day, Lot the righteous man, was not enough to save Sodom from destruction.
* "Tyre" -Tyre was a land of the Gentiles. It was on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Sidon was less than twenty miles to the north. Jesus visited it according to Matthew 15:21-28.
* "Sidon" -Sidon was a land of the Gentiles. It was on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Tyre was less than twenty miles to the south. Jesus possibly visited it when he visited Tyre in Matthew 15:21-28.
* "If the miracles that were performed in you" -Jesus spent most of his three year ministry in the area of these three towns performing many miracles.
* "they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes" -The act of repenting is often misunderstood in these days and age. According to Today's Dictionary of the Bible "there are two Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance.
1) The verb 'metamelomai' is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas.
2) 'Metanoeo' meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, and the cognate noun 'metanaia' are used of true repentance -a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.
Evangelical repentance consists of:
1) a true sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness;
2) an apprehension of God's mercy in Christ;
3) an actual hatred of sin and turning from it to God
4) a persistent after a holy life in a walking with God in the way of his commandments."
Jesus meant the latter, hence the words "sackcloth and ashes".
* "But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you." -The day of judgment is real. One day Jesus will come and judge the earth. All men and women's lives on this earth will be judged. But not all judgements will be the same. Some will be more bearable than others. Why? Because some peoples sin was greater than others. Thus they will be more ashamed. I wrote about the different judgments in my manuscript The Believer's Future - Hope that Inspires.
To the Jews, Sodom was an ancient lost city of great sin. Because of its sin, God judged Sodom in Abraham's time with fire and brim stone. Genesis 13:13 says, "Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord." Isaiah 3:9 says, "The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves." Jeremiah 23:14 says, "And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible: They commit adultery and live a lie. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his wickedness. They are all like Sodom to me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah." And there are many more such verses. All such case refer to the great sin of Sodom. Thus, those who reject Jesus as their Savior and Lord after the gospel has been preached to them are in for an unbearable time during judgement.
* "will you be lifted up to the skies...down to the depths" -In the Bible, up to the sky refers to the heavens, including the heaven where the Lord God is seated. The Bible calls down to the depths hell. Why do these directions indicate these places? Perhaps it is so, but I have always gotten the impression that heaven and hell are spiritual places that do not exist in this material universe.
* "Sodom...would have remained to this day" -When a city repents God holds back his wrath. Nahum 1:3 says, "The Lord is slow to anger and great in power..." For example, when God sent Jonah to preach judgement to Nineveh they repented. So God did not bring his wrath to them nor did he destroy them. Yet the next generation after Jonah returned to sinful and evil ways. But God did not judge them right away. Nineveh remained a city of influence for a couple more generations after that.
>Why would judgment on these later cities be greater?
* These cities were cities that Jesus preached in. Wisdom had come and wisdom was preached, but the people of the city did not act on the wisdom. They did not repent. Thus in the end their rejection of wisdom will be shown. Jesus denouncement is just and right.
* "most of his miracles had been performed" -Jesus did not denounce first. First Jesus performed miracles. But not only that, but from the gospels it is learned that he also taught extensively in those cities as well. We humans often condemn and give out harsh words before we try softer means of winning souls to wisdom.
* "because they did not repent" -God gives all mankind a choice. Not only the cities where Jesus had done most of his miracles were given a choice, but everyone is given choices. God made man to make choices. All had made wrong decisions in our life, but we choice not to do what is right, what is wise. Thus were are sinners in need of salvation and repentance. As long as one is alive in the body, they have yet a chance to chose what is wise. But if repentance is not made, if wisdom is not chosen, then denouncement will follow.
Jesus is sorrowful when cities and people do not respond to the word of God preached in them(no matter how much or how little) and thus repent. The people's hearts in these cities were not moved. One is judged not so much on what we did and didn't do, but on our heart attitude and what we could have done based on what we heard and believed if we believed as much as we should. People are judged according to the revelations of God given to us and how we reacted to that revelation. If we receive a lot God expects us to react according to that amount received.
>Why is it so serious to reject the servant whom the Lord sends? (16)
* Luke 10:16 "He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."
* "He who listens to you listens to me" -We are Jesus' messengers.
* "he who rejects you rejects me" -Both personally reject us and also reject our message.
* "he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." -Jesus is God, his Father's messenger.
III. Rejoice That Your Names are Written in Heaven (17-24)
* Titled "Satan Falls", this illustration is from a book by Leemputte, Henricus van den, 1588-1657 is now in public domain. The book's title is "Het Nieuwe Testament ons salichmaeckers Iesv Christi, mitsgaders d'epistelen : wt het Oude Testament, soo die door 't jaer in den dienst der h. kercke ghelesen worden. / Oversien ende verbetert na den laetsten Roomschen text, door den eerw. H. Henricus van den Leemputte, Licentiaet in de h. Godheyt. Verciert met veel schoone figueren, gesneden door Christoffel van Sichem, voor P.I.P. "
This woodcut illustrating Jesus' claim to have seen Satan fall, the image depicts angels casting Satan and his minions out of heaven; the banner contains the Divine Name YHWH in Hebrew. The monogram of the artist, Christoffel van Sichem (1546-1624), appears in the upper left-hand corner of the image.
Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.
>8. Why were the seventy-two so joyful upon their return?
* Luke 10:17 "The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."
* "The seventy-two returned with joy" -A joy exists when a mission is successful.
* "Lord" -"Kyrios" as is earlier in the chapter.
* "in your name" -The seventy-two used the name of Jesus which the demon's fear.
>What did Jesus teach them about the source of their power?
* Luke 10:18-19 "He replied, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.'"
* This is the only place to record Jesus said this.
* "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." -Jesus could see what was going on in the spiritual world. When Satan fell it was quick.
* "I have given you authority" -Jesus gives authority.
* "snakes and scorpions" -They crawl on the ground, barely noticed. Yet, they cause sickness and even are very deadly.
* "overcome all the power of the enemy" -Devil has many ways to corrupt mankind.
* "nothing will harm you." -Some say that the authority that Jesus gave the seventy-two was only for this mission trip. However, Jesus' words hear seem to imply the authority was given for a longer time.
>About the real reason for rejoicing?
* Luke 10:20 "However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
* "the spirits" -"Pneuma" in the original Greek meaning "breath", "spirit", and "wind". It can also apply to the rational human soul, the mind.
* "written in heaven" -God keeps a book in heaven that includes the names of those saved by the blood of Jesus. (Revelation 3:5, 13:8, 20:12,15; 21:27)
* The laymen evangelist teams were joyful when they returned because demons submitted to them in his name. Jesus acknowledged that Satan fell as fast as lightning from heaven because of their work that trampled on snakes and scorpions. Jesus described the evil spirits who rebel against God as the lowest and most dangerous of creatures in Palestine. As a warning to spiritual pride, he tells them what is joy worthy. It isn't that demons submit. He says, "Rather, rejoice that your name is written in heaven."
Jesus gives each believer a mission and all that is needed to accomplish that mission. The mission will have difficulties. He calls mission, "carrying your cross daily." The ability to achieve that mission is only possible because God gives me the authority, power, and all that is needed for me to accomplish the mission. I should be thankful. But never prideful as I have seen some "successful" clergy and staff do.
I am glad that my name is written in heaven. I have teary joy that I have a place in heaven, a home where I am welcomed and loved. Heaven is a place where my Father and my Lord and Master are. They know me and acknowledge me. They do not judge me. They shepherd me.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 10:17-20.
>9. Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to be crucified in less than four months. How could he be so joyful?
* Luke 10:21 "At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure."
* "full of joy through the Holy Spirit" -The Holy Spirit gives joy when human circumstances seem miserable.
>What was his thanksgiving topic?
* What is hidden and what is exposed is the subject of Jesus's joy through the Holy Spirit. God reveals the truth to whom he chooses when he chooses. The hidden thing that Jesus refers to is Satan falling from heaven as fast as lightning because Jesus gave authority to the laymen evangelists in his care to drive out demons. The Father committed this authority to Jesus and Jesus confirms it to those he chooses. They were not wise and learned. They are his little children.
Jesus's statement, "No one knows the Son except the Father" is shocking because we Christians say we have a personal relationship with Jesus. Yet, he says none of us knows him. But this is unsurprising when I think about my relationship with my children and wife. I have a personal relationship with them, but I do not know them. I know some things about them, but I do not know their thoughts, I often do not understand the motivation of their actions, and I often wonder what they think. Why do I think these things? Because I really do not know them.
Jesus continues the hidden which he exposes with, "No one knows the Father except the Son and those whom the Son chooses to reveal him" Jesus confirms that he and he alone are the only true source of information about the Father. The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent after he ascended into heaven, is in fact the Spirit of Christ. Thus the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, is the one that now reveals the Father to us, and the words of Christ recorded in the Bible are also the way we can learn of the Father, but without the moving of the Holy Spirit in our hearts the words I read would be misinterpreted.
>How did he express his loneliness and his comfort? (22)
* Luke 10:22 "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
* "All things have been committed to me by my Father." -The Father the owner commits all things is as Joseph was given control over all things by his master Potiphar (Genesis 39:8-9). The Father has full confidence in his Son, Jesus. The Father and Son have a good understanding of their place.
* "No one knows who the Son is except the Father" -The disciples were with Jesus three years and yet Jesus says no one knows who the Son is except the Father. Perhaps a lonely sentiment. Moses and Elijah can to encourage him while his disciples did not listen to him, did not understand him, and were always struggling and arguing.
* Jesus was saying this to the crowds who followed him.
* "no one knows who the Father is except the Son" -"Knows" is "ginosko" in the original Greek meaning "know", "perceive", and "understand". Experiencing a person intimately is implied as a husband and wife through a long intimate life experience each other.
>10. What did Jesus tell the disciples privately?
* Luke 10:23-24 "Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."
* "privately" -indicating that others besides the twelve and seventy (or seventy-two) where traveling with him.
* "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see." -The work of the Messiah and those who follow him.
>Why were they so blessed?
* "For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." -Meaning the time of the Messiah.
* What is hidden and what is exposed is the subject of Jesus's joy through the Holy Spirit. God reveals the truth to whom he chooses when he chooses. The hidden thing that Jesus refers to is Satan falling from heaven as fast as lightning because Jesus gave authority to the laymen evangelists in his care to drive out demons. The Father committed this authority to Jesus and Jesus confirms it to those he chooses. They were not wise and learned. They are his little children.
Jesus's statement, "No one knows the Son except the Father" is shocking because we Christians say we have a personal relationship with Jesus. Yet, he says none of us knows him. But this is unsurprising when I think about my relationship with my children and wife. I have a personal relationship with them, but I do not know them. I know some things about them, but I do not know their thoughts, I often do not understand the motivation of their actions, and I often wonder what they think. Why do I think these things? Because I really do not know them.
Jesus continues the hidden which he exposes with, "No one knows the Father except the Son and those whom the Son chooses to reveal him" Jesus confirms that he and he alone are the only true source of information about the Father. The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent after he ascended into heaven, is in fact the Spirit of Christ. Thus the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, is the one that now reveals the Father to us, and the words of Christ recorded in the Bible are also the way we can learn of the Father, but without the moving of the Holy Spirit in our hearts the words I read would be misinterpreted.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 10:21-24.
>In what respect can we also be blessed people?
* When we follow the ways of Jesus, the Christ of God.
