In the first verses of chapter 9, Jesus gathers the 12 apostles, gives them power and authority over demons and disease, and then sends them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He does so again in chapter 10 when He sent out 72 to spread the good news to even farther than before! Jesus calls, He gives, and He sends us all.
Called and Equipped
Luke 9:1-2
1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
• Power = the ability to do something
• Authority = the right to do something
• Preach = proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal
Luke 10: 1-12
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two[a] others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
Jesus appointed 72 and sent them out (apostellos = the sent out ones)
• Ambassadors, sent out ahead of Jesus (Preach)
• Pray for laborers from the Lord of the harvest (Authority)
• Lambs in the midst of wolves, Heal the sick (Power)
Obedience
In both chapters, there is an intense sense of urgency and simplicity to the call. There is no need for the sent ones to pack for months or prep for the worst case scenarios. There is just obedience and trust. Obeying what Jesus says and trusting that He will meet any and all needs along the way.
When you hold Luke 9 and 10 together, it becomes clear that Jesus’ intent was for the kingdom of God to be large – the sent ones didn’t just go to one area or people. They went all over and preached to both Jew (hence 12) and Gentile (Genesis 10 lists 70 nations as the extend of all creation)
Any perceived or realized rejection was not aimed at the sent ones, but rather towards God. Our response is to “dust ourselves off and keep going”.
Result
Not all of the results of obedience are positive. Sometimes there is success, but other times there is great sadness and hardship.
Luke 9:7-9
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, 8 others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. 9 But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.
Luke 10:17-24
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
Verse 19 Jesus reminds them that he has given them authority over all. Nothing can come against His authority.
Challenge
For what are you preparing? Where has Jesus called and equipped you to go?
Jesus told them to preach the kingdom and to heal. This is the most unassuming picture of holistic ministry! Preach the good news (mind) and heal the sick (body). Grow the kingdom of God with both word and deed.
The freedom that comes with obedience is miraculous!
He has called you. He has given you everything that you need. His kingdom cannot be thwarted.
