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Luke 10:3–12
“Whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town” (vv. 10–12).
Having appointed seventy-two followers to reap a harvest of more disciples of Jesus (Luke 10:1–2), our Lord next gave instructions for how these men were to conduct their ministry as they went out two by two. Luke’s record of these instructions is found in today’s passage.
In sending the seventy-two out, Jesus told them that they would be “lambs in the midst of wolves” (Luke 10:3). This image stresses that His disciples were entering dangerous territory, that many in the world would be hostile and would even try to destroy them, just as a wolf will devour a sheep. Therefore, it reminds us of Jesus’ earlier statement that discipleship is often difficult and leaves us without a permanent home in this world (Luke 9:57–58). The image is not entirely negative, however. Isaiah 40:11 promises that God will gather and tend His lambs. Sheep we may be, but we have the Great Shepherd to care for us and ultimately to protect us as we minister in His name (see also John 10:1–18).
Many of the instructions to the seventy-two are nearly identical to the instructions given to the Twelve for their earlier mission. For instance, the seventy-two were to travel light, not carrying extra provisions (Luke 10:4; see Luke 9:3). They were also to enter the houses where people received them gladly and to stay there, not traveling from house to house (Luke 10:5–7; see Luke 9:4). Besides giving an opportunity to provide the people in the receiving home with more thorough gospel instruction, this practice would show that the seventy-two were honest and were not trying to exploit people for money. In those days, individuals would often pose as teachers and go from house to house to get as much money as they could. The seventy-two were to be content with what one house could provide them (Luke 10:7).
The message that the seventy-two brought consisted of an announcement of peace and a declaration of the nearness of the kingdom of God (Luke 10:5, 9). Essentially, they were to announce that God, with whom they were at war because of sin, offered them peace and reconciliation through faith in the King of His kingdom, Jesus Christ (see Rom. 5:1). The seventy-two also had to tell people of the consequences of refusing God’s gracious offer of peace through Jesus. Those who do not receive Christ as Lord and Savior remain in conflict with the Creator, and it will be worse for them at the judgment than for notoriously wicked Sodom (Luke 10:10–12).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Matthew Henry comments, “We are to propose peace to all, to preach peace by Jesus Christ, to proclaim the gospel of peace, the covenant of peace, peace on earth, and to invite the children of men to come and take the benefit of it.” The gospel is God’s offer of peace with Him to sinners who receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. Faith in Him alone is the only way to have peace with God, and we must stress this truth, for too many people think there are many ways of salvation.
for further study
- Deuteronomy 20:10–15
- Isaiah 40:1–2
- John 14:25–31
- 1 Timothy 5:18
the bible in a year
- 2 Kings 18–19
- John 6:22–59