Read Luke 10
Highlights:
Seventy sent out; good Samaritan; Martha and Mary; Pharisees denounced.
The Lord appointed other seventy also and sent them two and two . . . into every city and place whither He Himself would come, Therefore said He unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest (Luke 10:1-2).
He went on to say He was sending them forth as lambs among wolves (10:3). The instructions that He gave them were very much the same as those given the twelve (Luke 9). And, in a similar way, He sends us out with the same commission. He cautioned that their mission would be dangerous, that they would not always be accepted and would often meet with opposition.
The miracle of grace prepares us to become actively involved in reaching others with the Good News. Into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the Son of Peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again (Luke 10:5-6). We are not to waste our time with people who get angry, or want to argue, or who show no interest in the Son of Peace. Satan would quickly attempt to misdirect our focus. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable . . . And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace (James 3:17-18).
We should not be surprised when we are rejected or face opposition, for Jesus said: If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you (John 15:20). But like Jesus who endured the cross, despising the shame (Heb. 12:2), we see beyond the cross to the crown.
It was the religious world that Christ was referring to, who will speak all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake (Matt. 5:11) because of our loyalty, obedience, and refusal to compromise His eternal Truth. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:18). So let us continue to reach others with the Good News. As we possess the characteristics of a peaceable spirit, there will be a natural effort to maintain peace with others and to make peace where discord exists. Such are healers of divisions, making every effort to right wrongs. But we are not to have peace at the price of compromising true biblical truth.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men (Rom. 12:18).
Thought for Today:
It is one thing to do work for God, but quite another to live for Him in humble obedience to His Word.
Cross References:
For Luke 10:27: See Lev. 19:18. Luke 10:28: See Lev. 18:5.
Word Studies:
10:40 cumbered about much serving, frustrated over all she had to do; 10:41 careful, overly concerned; 11:8 importunity, persistence; 11:39 ravening, greed, covetousness; 11:46 lade, load; 11:53 vehemently, fiercely.
Prayer Suggestion: Give praise to God that His Word will stand forever (Is. 40:8).
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 139:16
