Luke 10:1-24
Q.1. Why did Jesus send out the seventy disciples? What were His instructions? – (Lk.10:1-11 & 16)
As with the Twelve, Jesus sent out the Seventy with the message – The kingdom of God has come near to you (Lk.10:9 c.f. Lk.9:1-2). With His coming everything was changing. Jesus disclosed His motive for sending the seventy – The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest (Lk.10:2). Jesus sent them ahead to prepare for His ministry (Lk.10:1). He set them up to succeed, not fail. (i) He sent them in pairs (Lk.10:1). He told them that they would be – as lambs sent in the midst of wolves (Lk.10:3). He forewarned them that they could face rejection (Lk.10:16). This was no easy assignment. They should travel lightly (Lk.10:4). They should not select the best places to stay but accept the first hospitality offered (Lk.10:5-7). They were to take a message of peace both to the families and the city (Lk.10:5-8). They should offer healing and hope in every place (Lk.10:8-9). They were well prepared for whatever response they might encounter (c.f. Lk.10:17).
Q.2. What made the response of the cities of Sodom, Tyre and Sidon more excusable than that of the Jews? – (Lk.10:12-15)
Jesus revealed that the real reason for the miracles and healings He performed around Israel, was to bring repentance. He condemned the cities in Israel that had failed to be ready for the kingdom of God – Woe to you Chorazin! Woe to you Bethsaida! For if the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes (Lk.10:13 c.f. Lk.10:9-11). The cities of Sodom, Tyre, and Sidon had been severely dealt with after rejecting the warnings given to them (Gen,23-25, 27-29). Jesus implied that their destruction was not the end, because there will be a further judgment to come – in that day … in the judgment (Lk.10:12 & 14). A future judgment at the Great White Throne still awaits all who have never been born again. (Jn.3:3, 5, 18-21; Rev.20:11-15). However, Jesus stated that the people of these cities would have repented, had they been exposed to the miracles seen by the people of Israel in Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. This is a sobering truth.
Q.3. Where, in their ministry, are God’s servants to keep their focus? Why was Jesus overjoyed with the Seventy? – (Lk.10:16-22)
Jesus gave these, His chosen servants, special signs, and wonders to authenticate their ministry. These included healings and exorcisms (Lk.10:17-19 c.f. Heb.2:3-4). The Seventy were excited by their new effectiveness – Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name (Lk.10:17). Jesus told His disciples that He had seen Satan and his hosts cast out of Heaven and that his
power was coming to an end – I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning (Lk.10:18). This explained their authority over the Evil One. The Seventy were distracted by their new found power. However, Jesus reminded them – Do not rejoice in this that the spirits are subject to you but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven (Lk.10:20). Jesus was very encouraged about His growing family – At that very time He rejoiced GREATLY in the Holy Spirit (Lk.10:21). These people still needed to understand the amazing grace of God – … I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight – (Lk.10:21). We now have the opportunity to engage in the ministry, as Jesus explained – … no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him (Lk.10:22).
Q.4. In what way were the disciples privileged to be living at the time of Jesus? Does this still apply to a believer today? – (Lk.10:22-24)
The disciples of Jesus were chosen by God to be the first to hear Jesus speak of His reason for coming to earth (Lk.10:22). Those who were the eyewitnesses of Jesus were privileged to gain the clearest revelation of the Father (Jn.14:7 & 9). He was explaining and revealing things – … that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them (Lk.10:24). This could still be true of us. We should never cease to stay connected to Jesus, for without Him we can do nothing and will lose the way (Jn.15:4-5; 14:6).