Evangelism 101 – Luke 10:1-11; 16-20

Before we get into our passage for today, I want us to look back into chapter 9 because that is what sets up the event recorded in the first part of chapter 10.  Jesus is walking along the road with his disciples but there are other people who have joined them. In fact the crowd must have been fairly significant because we know that Jesus appointed seventy others who would be sent to villages that Jesus intended to visit.

Of the group that was with Jesus that day, we hear of three would-be followers.  The first boldly declares his intention to follow Jesus wherever he will go.  Sounds a little like Peter but it isn’t.  Jesus’ response is to remind the would-be follower that every animal has a place to call home but that the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.  In other words, the Son of Man – who is also the Son of God – will always be on the move with no permanent place on the earth to call home.  Are you prepared to never have a place that you can return to and call it your safe place? If so, then come and follow me. That is probably what Jesus would have said to that person but Luke just leaves it there because no doubt the person would have already turned away.

The second person is called by Jesus to follow him but that person replies: “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”  Sounds like a reasonable request – complete unfinished business before committing to following Jesus. Jesus’ response sounds a little harsh but he wants the person to realize that when the call to follow comes, there should never be a reason to walk away and perhaps come back at some time in the future.  We can always find a reason to not follow a path that we are called to take if our commitment is weak.

The third person – hearing Jesus’ call to the second one – boldly declares that he will follow Jesus but first he needs to tell his family that he is leaving to be with Jesus. Once again Jesus’ response seems harsh but the reality is that if you had told your family that you were going to travel with Jesus, they might not expect you to come back and say farewell.  Of course the point is that when a person declares their willingness to follow Jesus, there should be no turning back – no second thoughts – because you can’t make a straight path with a plow when you aren’t watching where you are going.  Commitment to the kingdom of God requires taking the path that leads forward with eyes front – not constantly looking back to see where you were before.

And so we come to our passage for today.  Of the group that remained with Jesus, he appoints seventy of them to go ahead to every town that he intends to visit.  These will be his emissaries who will test the waters and discover whether or not there is a willingness among the people to listen to the message of Jesus.  There are so many little towns throughout the country and Jesus knows his time is limited and so the choice is being made to visit those who are willing to listen.

Now Jesus is fully aware that there will be places where his message may not be welcomed and he prepares the seventy for this possibility but his initial message to them is one of hope. “The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few.” Out of the hundreds of people – if not thousands or more – that lived in the country of Palestine, Jesus has found 12 to be close companions, 70 whom he has appointed as emissaries and an unknown group of followers but still a small group.  The hope is that as a result of Jesus sending the seventy to these towns and them receiving a positive response to their mission that there will be more labourers to join them in the future.  But Jesus is keenly aware that they are going like lambs into the midst of wolves.  The mission they are being sent on is not one that lacks an element of danger. There are no guarantees that their mission will be successful or that they will return safely.

Now note the three things they are not to take with them. First – no purse. They will not carry any money or personal possessions that might be used to pay for food or lodging.  Second – no bag.  They will have no means of changing their clothing or replacing clothing if they are attacked and their clothing torn.  Third – no sandals.  Wearing some kind of footwear will protect them from the harsh elements of the road – especially the heat.  Not wearing sandals is a sign of their total dependence on God to safeguard them no matter what.

Jesus then gives them specific instructions as to how they are to behave when they come to a town.  First he gives them instructions for when they receive a positive response. “Peace to this house,” they are to say.  If that receives a positive response, they are to remain in that house for the duration of their stay.  Their tasks will be to cure the sick and proclaim that the kingdom of God is coming near to them.  If the response is negative, they are to go out of the house into the streets and declare: “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you.” Another reason why they take no sandals! The people will then be told that the kingdom of God has come near but their response was to turn away.

The seventy then head out with the knowledge that if people listen to them it is like listening to Jesus. Jesus has given them the power to cure the sick and cast out demons.

Upon their return they are ecstatic. They have cured the sick and cast out demons.  But while this is a great thing and reveals to Jesus the places where his presence will most be welcomed, he cautions them against getting caught up with these things.  After all, while curing the sick and casting out demons are important as they bring healing and restoration into the lives of broken people, what is even more important is that their names be written in heaven.  The seventy are reminded that what they have accomplished was not for their glory but for the glory of the kingdom of God.  It wasn’t to show their greatness but the greatness of God. It is not their name that is to be remembered and honoured for these miracles but the name of God.  If their names are written in the book of heaven, that is the only record that will ultimately count.

Thanks be to God for all who are willing to be labourers in the harvest –  sharing the message of God and seeking for others to find healing through the mercy and love and grace of God!

AMEN