The Gospel of Luke (Luke 10:1-24) records the story of Jesus sending out seventy messengers to prepare the way for Him to visit, which they did, telling of their return.
Who Were the Seventy Disciples?
Up to this point, more than twelve individuals had been following Jesus. In this particular account, Jesus assigned a gathering of seventy to set up various towns that He would visit later. These disciples were not extraordinary in their capabilities. They did not have a higher level of status, ability, or education than the other followers of Jesus. What prepared them for this mission was their consciousness of Jesus's power and their vision to contact every individual they could. While it is essential to commit our abilities to the Kingdom of God, we must also work with the power of God and a clear understanding of what He wants us to accomplish.
The seventy were sent out to reach the masses. Sending seventy disciples out stressed the inclusion of Gentiles in Jesus’ forming of a new Israel; Jews, Gentiles, and Samaritans were to become the new family of God. Jesus dispatched thirty-five teams of two people. The conveying of the disciples in pairs (“two and two”) may mirror the guideline in which two witnesses were expected for a matter to be established (Deuteronomy 19:15).
"You must not convict anyone of a crime on the testimony of only one witness. The facts of the case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." - Deuteronomy 19:15
They were not supposed to try to do the job themselves. Instead, they were to ask God for additional laborers. When they comprehend the Gospel, certain individuals want to go to work promptly, reaching the unsaved. This story proposes an alternate methodology: Encourage people to PRAY first. We should then pray that other concerned disciples will join us in reaching out to the unsaved people.
The verse proclaiming, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few,” should motivate us. However, it turns out to be more uncovering when we review that there were a great many religious workers (rabbis, clergy, and laymen) when Jesus had prayed for laborers. In outward appearance, religion was vigorous work. Yet people were being ignored because many were more worried about the Sabbath day than about people who were in need.
There is no unemployment in Christian service, and there is no line in service for the Lord to obtain an unemployment check. God has plenty of work for everyone. We are not to sit back and watch others do the entirety of the work. We are to search for ways of getting involved with the harvest. We should see Christians lining up, asking, “How can I be of service?”
What Is Significant about the Number Seventy?
The number seventy is the biblical number for universality. It also symbolizes Israel and her restoration and represents the number of the descendants of Shem, Ham, and Japheth after the flood (Genesis 10). It is also the number of the descendants of Jacob who went to Egypt at the request of Joseph (Genesis 46:27). Along with Joseph and his sons, this group formed the Nation of Israel. Israel lived in exile for seventy years (Jeremiah 25:11, 29:10). Moses was instructed to choose seventy elders to assist him with his duties (Numbers 11:16).
Jesus was sending His followers out “as lambs among wolves.” They would need to be cautious, for they would unquestionably meet with resistance. The “lambs” were threatened by a variety of “wolves,” not just the secular type, for many, were religious individuals who inflicted the most suffering on Jesus and His followers. We also are sent into the world as sheep among wolves. We are to be ready and to confront our foes not with animosity but rather with affection and delicacy. A risky mission requires genuine responsibility.
These seventy disciples were sent out much like the twelve were previously, with “neither staves nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece” (Luke 9:3). Later, in Luke 22:35-38, some disciples would be told to take these things with them on their journey. The lesson here was that of trust. Someone may learn to trust God with everything once they have learned to trust God for everything.
The seventy were instructed not to impose their will on anyone but to accept hospitality wherever it was extended. The fact that Jesus instructed them to remain in one house prevented certain issues. Moving around could offend the families that initially took them in. Some families may start to seek the disciples’ presence, and some may feel that they were not sufficient to hear the message. If the disciples did not see the value in the proposed accommodation, the town probably would not acknowledge Jesus when they arrived there. In addition, the disciples did not have to constantly worry about finding good lodging because they stayed in one location. They could unwind and complete the task for which they had come.
How Can We Support Modern Ministry?
Jesus advised the disciples to graciously accept whatever hospitality was given because their work qualified them for it. We must ensure that ministers of the Gospel have what they need and are supported. Supporting the efforts of those who serve God in His church can be done in several ways. Primarily, we ought to verify that their pay is adequate. Second, we should arrange a time to express our gratitude for something they have done to ensure they are emotionally supported. Thirdly, we should occasionally surprise them with encouraging gifts to cheer them up. We owe it to our ministers to let them know how much we care for them.
Two rules were given to the disciples during their journey. They were to partake of whatever nourishment was provided to them by the host family without concern about what was clean or unclean. They were not to be choosy. They were also to heal the sick that may be present while proclaiming the Kingdom of God. People who would be healed were more likely to be willing to listen to the Gospel preached.
Any place they were not accepted, they were to leave and say, “The very dust of your city, we do wipe off against you” (Matthew 10:14; Mark 6:11; Acts 13:51). When Jews were leaving a Samaritan or Gentile territory, they would follow this custom. Jesus said that those who do not believe, accept, or reject the Gospel will be rejected. As a result, communion and communication are broken.
Jesus took the stance that being unclean does not involve ethnicity, race, or custom but the inability or refusal to submit to the Kingdom of God. Mankind’s response has no bearing on the sovereign rule of the Kingdom of God. God is King regardless of what humanity does. It was intended to warn those who did not receive Christ’s messengers that, despite their unbelief, the Kingdom of God was getting closer.
Sodom, Tyre, and Sidon were cities known for their longstanding wickedness and immorality (Genesis 18, 19; Ezekiel 27, 28). Each of these cities was destroyed for their wickedness by God. But what do we notice here? In these verses, the message is stated that “it shall be more tolerable…at the judgment…than for you.” The Lord states that although these cities will face judgment again, any city that has seen the Messiah but rejected Him will suffer much more. Even in Capernaum, where Jesus based His ministry, those who had seen Jesus’ miracles and did not believe in His teachings would also be judged for their rejection of Jesus.
Judgment falls heavier upon those of honor (those who claim to be religious yet have no true faith). The more prominent the open door, the more noteworthy the commitment to reaction and the punishment for its absence.
The Return of the Seventy Messengers
Now, the seventy disciples are returning from their travels. We can only imagine the miracles that had been performed based upon the authority Jesus gave them. Can you picture the joy and delight upon their faces and in their hearts for what they had witnessed? But Jesus must bring them back down to earth. He tells them that although what has been performed deserves joy, it is much better to rejoice because their names are written down in heaven (Isaiah 4:3; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 20:12). What we must not forget is that what is more important than any miracles that have been accomplished is our citizenship in heaven.
Jesus now gives thanks to God the Father for the spiritual truth that has been revealed. Many of life’s rewards seem to only go to those of prominence, those that are worldly, rich, and powerful. But praise God that the Kingdom of God is available to all people. It takes a childlike faith to come to Jesus, not strength, power, or intellect. I do not think that Christ is opposed to pursuing knowledge, but spiritual pride (“wise in their own eyes,” Isaiah 5:21), that is not acceptable.
Unlike the disciples, who had firsthand experience with Jesus, we have been privileged to have 2,000 years of Biblical and spiritual history from the Bible. Unfortunately, many take this for granted. We must remember that with that privilege comes a great responsibility to follow Christ and to share the Good News with the world.
Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:10-13, the Old Testament prophets prophesied of Jesus, some suffered persecution and died for God. Jesus stated that they “desired to see those things…and to hear those things.” These disciples had been blessed to witness Christ firsthand.
What Do We Gain from This Story?
For you Christians out there, have you ever thought about how the Holy Spirit touched your heart? How did God call you? Maybe it was through a “thunder and lightning” event or just a still small voice. Let me tell you that it does not matter how you came to know Christ, but it does matter what we do with the gift that has been given to us.
Satan may have already or has been arguing with you, condemning you for your past. Maybe he is repeatedly telling you how unworthy you are. He has done this to me and many other Christians through the years.
Yes, there is no doubt that some of us may have been a Magdalene, a Zacchaeus, a thief, a prodigal son or daughter, a murderer, or any other immoral or evil beings. But God, in His infinite grace, gave us His Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16). By God’s grace and my faith in Him, He has accepted me as one of His own (Luke 12:8; John 1:12).
Photo Credit: AI technology and subsequently edited and reviewed by our editorial team.
