Luke 10:1-20
Jesus Sends the 72

Pastor Todd introduced the passage by saying that it is primarily descriptive, not prescriptive. In other words, it describes what a particular group of people did at a particular place and time; it doesn’t dictate to you and me what we should be doing. Instant relief! Todd didn’t plan to guilt-trip us into signing up as a career missionary in a far-away nation! But Todd was clear that the passage is a call for us to share the gospel in our unique, individual circles. Let’s apply Jesus’ instructions to the seventy-two to ourselves in prayer this week, thereby praying earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers – us.

Todd’s sermon provided several specific ways our perspective needs to change if we are to respond rightly to Jesus’ call. For example, Jesus looked at the field – the vast collection of human souls in the world – and saw a plentiful harvest. We look around us and see darkness, a barren field. Even if we acknowledge the possibility of a harvest, we know our own inadequacy and think, I can’t do it. We forget that the harvest and the work to bring it in belong to Jesus. As a little girl in our Chinese congregation once said, “We tell. Jesus saves.” Also, we quail at the thought of being a lamb in the midst of wolves. (v3) We fear being rejected (or worse) and overlook the first part of that verse: I am sending you out … Our Great Shepherd protects and cares for us lambs, no matter what. Finally, we forget the end of the story. The seventy-two returned with joy, having experienced the thrill of participating in God’s redemptive plan. Don’t we want that joy? Is there anything better? Lord, change my perspective – how I see things and how I think.

Jesus instructed the seventy-two to carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no extra sandals and not to stop for lengthy chats with people along the road. In other words, they were to go on their way unencumbered, to use Todd’s word. An encumbrance is something that makes action difficult, a hindrance. In real estate, it is a legal term meaning a claim on property that restricts what the owner can do with it. As Christians, we are Jesus’ property. What claims on us hinder us from doing what he calls us to do? Todd suggested several possibilities. Perhaps we are caught up chasing our “wants” instead of being content with meeting our needs, striving to keep up with the Joneses, cultivating an image. Todd wondered if Jesus would have instructed the seventy-two to leave their iPhones at home if they had existed then. Perhaps our phones are a ball and chain, not a tool. And what about our social media consumption? How much time are we frittering away on trivialities that could be better spent cultivating in-person relationships? Lord, show me what is holding me back, weighing me down, and keeping me from obeying Your call to proclaim the gospel. Help me set down what You don’t want me to carry.

Calvary Family

Sunday was a special day in my life group – Prime Time – because the Refuge life group came to visit. The Refuge group serves young adults aged 18 to 27 or so; Prime Time serves the oldest among us. I asked the young folks how their church family can be praying for them. A young woman requested prayer in the area of male/female relationships. Dating and finding a spouse has always had challenges, but she noted that today’s culture adds new ones. For example, guys are told their masculinity is toxic; women are told to develop masculine traits. Several Refuge members spoke of their need for direction in life as they attend college or work at a job that may or may not be in their eventual career field. They also talked about making faith their own and making the Lord the center of their lives in a world with lots of distractions. They face the temptation to put off complete submission to the Lord till later in life. Satan likes to tell young people (and old people too) that they have plenty of time! One young man offered an excellent metaphor for their life stage: Becoming an adult with all that entails is like being uprooted. Let’s pray that each one will be replanted in a spot in the center of God’s will for them and thrive there.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert