Image: "Colorful", 2020, Abstract, Sunflower row at Sunflower Farm, Lisbon, Md
Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.
Luke 10:20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke 10:41–42 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
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I imagine those 70 disciples were "psyched up" to use a modern term. Like a football team getting energized in the locker room prior to the opening kickoff, Jesus inspires His disciples to "get out there and get the job done!" The big difference, of course, is that football games come and go and none of them make any lasting impact. These disciples, however, were playing for big stakes... eternal stakes... and the very existence of the villages and homes that they were sent to visit was at risk.
I think we can glean several lessons about ministry from this chapter.
Notice what Jesus says in verse 1: and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go! These disciples were not sent to their destinations to replace Jesus but to precede Him there. This is a metaphor I think for all our human ministry.
We may do a lot of planning about where to plant a church, for example. But, in this as in all ministry, it is really Jesus, spiritually, directing our steps and He sends us where He, Himself, intends to go. At one point in his ministry, Paul was getting pretty discouraged I think because God spoke to him and said: "keep on going, don't be afraid, for I have many people in this city!" (Acts 18:9,10) This was an important passage to me at one time because it reminded me that it is Jesus who is working and He will have His fruit. We who seek to serve Him are messengers... we do the leg work... but we going "before the Lord" and He will use our work to reap His harvest. (vs. 2)
Then, also we need to remember that in our ministry we are somewhat transparent: the more so the better actually. When we are doing God's work then it should be clear to those among whom we work that it is Jesus in us and through us that they are hearing. Jesus told the disciples: Luke 10:16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.” This is really important. When we ensure that our ministry is "not about us but about Jesus" then rejection (and it will surely come in some part) should not be taken personally. For those whose stubborn hearts refuse to bow to their King, the messenger's duty is only to be faithful: compassionate, yes; flexible according to circumstances and solicitous of their well-being, yes; but when push comes to shove, it is Jesus they are hearing, not us, and therefore we must not be offended at their offense.
But what about when the harvest is indeed plentiful and the preached word appears to be powerfully at work transforming people's hearts? Now it is not a problem with taking rejection personally, it is a problem with thinking that it is our brilliance that is shining forth. Jesus told the disciples that it was a good thing that they could heal the sick and cast out demons, but then, He brought them up short. "These things are good, but they are not what you should really be excited about... What's important is that your names are written in heaven. You have been sealed in My book. This is that which is most important for you." It is good to delight when ministry is flourishing... it is better, to delight whether it is or is not, in the high privilege of being chosen to serve.
Then there is the story of the Good Samaritan. I won't go into detail but notice that Jesus ends the parable with the command "Go and do likewise." (vs. 37) Ministry is about selfless giving of ourselves, our goods, our hospitality, and our compassion. It is motivated by a love of God first but it must also, and even equally, be motivated by sincere concern for those to whom we have been sent. Our first job, and often the most difficult, is to sincerely love those folks. This is not some abstract, generalized "love." This is the powerful emotion, in the likeness of Christ's own love, that cannot be denied. People to whom it is directed will recognize it for what it is: real, honest to God, affection. There is no power on earth, in my mind, that is more powerful for bringing fruit in ministry.
Lastly, we are reminded that we have to keep "first things first." Martha was serving Jesus and she was "worried and troubled about many things." (vs. 41) This is an instance of the 3rd seed where the cares and worries of this world can choke out the gospel. We have to remember, in all our doing, to make sure we also "choose that good part" and ensure we are being refreshed by spending time at Jesus' feet also. If the fire in our own belly is nothing but embers, our ministry won't carry very much heat.
So, life is ministry and Jesus here provides us some basic encouragements for working in His harvest.
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