Luke 10:1-6
Luke 10:1 (KJB)
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and
two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Jesus and His followers were continuing to pass through Samaria and Perea on
their way to Jerusalem. Then Jesus chose seventy out of His group on an
important mission. They were to go to the towns and places along the route they
were taking to get to Jerusalem. Since the Samaritans had refused Jesus and His
entourage entrance to a village, He wanted to make sure that there were no
hindrances along the way by towns refusing to let them pass through. Jesus must
have had a large group since He was able to dispatch seventy of them on this
task. They would have been sent out by two for two basic reasons, the first was
for companionship and the second was for legal reasons, the law required two
witnesses. The number seventy was symbolic because there were seventy on the
Sanhedrin, seventy nations listed in Genesis 10, all the souls that came from
the loins of Jacob were seventy, and seventy years of captivity in Babylon. It
was kind of a precursor of the time when the Gospel would go forth throughout
all the world.
Luke 10:2 (KJB)
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.
Jesus begins to start planting the reality in the minds of His followers that
the time was now at hand for the world to begin to hear and receive the grace of
God. He likens the world to a great bountiful harvest which the Lord gave but
unfortunately there are very few labourers to reap the harvest. The picture here
is given to show the reality that there are very few Christians who are truly
dedicated to evangelism and the discipline of those who become saved. Since the
labourers are few, it behooves those involved in both the actual physical
evangelism and those who support them to continually beseech the Lord to send
out more dedicated Christians into the ministry to bring the word to all the
nations and to see all those He came to save saved. This needs to be the heart
cry of every generation because it seems as we get closer to the end, the amount
of Christians involved in the Great Commission is dwindling. (Luke 18:8 KJV)
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man
cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Luke 10:3 (KJB)
Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
This is a scenario that the Apostles would have been very familiar with.
Ravenous wolves were a threat to sheep everywhere. They would stalk out the
flock and then wait for the right time and when the sheep started running away,
they would pounce on the slowest one and then kill it for food. Jesus is telling
them that as His disciples, they will be going into a very hostile world with
the Gospel. The people will fight against their own salvation. Jesus is not
saying to avoid them but while in their presence, they are to be wise as a
serpent. A serpent will avoid any unnecessary dangers and that is why we see
them living in rocks or under the sands. They are more defensive creatures than
offensive. A serpent moves quietly and the followers of Christ are also to be
quiet in their lives while being a testimony for Christ. They are not to
retaliate against those who bring false accusations but are to be gentle or
harmless as doves. They are never to provoke or plan harm to anyone, even if
they oppose the Gospel. This is why the must emulate the wisdom of a serpent and
the gentleness of a dove.
Luke 10:4 (KJB)
Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
After the day of Pentecost, the disciples would become Apostles in an official
capacity but here they are being sent forth with specific instructions. The only
thing they are permitted to take with them is a staff for walking and to protect
themselves against any wild animals. They were not to take a scrip which was a
money bag which was a leather bag where they would keep their funds. Since they
were not to take any money, there would have been no need for the scrip. They
were not even to take any bread, that is, any sustenance. This journey may not
have been a long journey and these things would not be needed but more likely
Jesus was teaching them to have faith in God for their needs.
Luke 10:5 (KJB)
And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
When you have found such a place where the inhabitants are believers and like
minded, then salute that home. To salute means to greet the house with a saying
such as “Peace be unto you.” These were not just words but they would be
desiring the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be upon the household. (Acts
10:36 KJV) The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace
by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
Luke 10:6 (KJB)
And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it
shall turn to you again.
Then Jesus gives them a principle. He tells them that if the house is worthy,
that is, if there are those who are believers living there and are very glad to
have these brethren stay with them, then let their peace abide upon the house.
The house may even be unbelievers who are open to the Gospel and love the idea
of hospitality. Then Jesus tells them that if you come into a house which is not
worthy, maybe filled with rank unbelievers who may want to charge them and make
some shekels, or filled with those who are hostile to the cause of Christ, then
the peace you bid them needs to be returned to you and allow those homes to
continue in the same type of unbelief.