By Toni Ford
Have you ever read the entire chapter of Luke 10? If not, I encourage you to stop at some point today and read the entire chapter. Even though I have read this chapter multiple times, I am reminded of what God tells us in Hebrews 4:12, which says, “The Word of God is alive and active.” Therefore, His Word always speaks to us, regardless of time. In Luke 10, we see three different scenes, taking place with three different groups of people. Each one is intended to give direction for the believer.
To the nations. Luke 10:1-2, “After this, the Lord appointed seventy other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So, pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” This event should not be confused with the sending out of the twelve disciples in Matthew 10. However, both groups were sent out by the same Master to do the same basic job, which was to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. This seventy corresponds to the seventy elders Moses appointed in the wilderness, who received the Spirit and prophesied (Numbers 11:16,24-25). These men were sent into Judea and associated with the seventy nations listed in Genesis 10. As you continue to read, you will see these men had a dangerous assignment. They would be going into territories like “lambs among wolves” and the laborers were few, so they would be looking for more laborers to join them. Their assignment would require discipline and trust in God to provide for them. Notice that Jesus sent them “in pairs.” He knew the importance of relationship and community and He knew they would need one another.
To my neighbor. Luke 10:29 says, “The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?” Scripture tells us this man was an expert in religious law and his question was intended to test Jesus by asking this question. In answering this man’s question, Jesus shares a story with him rather than give him specific instructions. We have heard this story as The Good Samaritan. In this story, Jesus represents the Samaritan. He is the one that saves the man, pays the bill and promises to come again. By using a Samaritan as the hero, Jesus disarmed the Jews, for the Jews and Samaritans were enemies. The question becomes, “Not who is my neighbor,” but rather “To whom can I be a neighbor?” This has nothing to do with geography, citizenship or race. Instead, we are to be like Jesus, being neighbors and showing mercy as Jesus did to anyone in need. The Lord took the opportunity to move the discussion from duty to love, from debating to doing. The Lord tells us the same thing: “Go and do likewise.”
To the One. Luke 10:39 says, “Her sister Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.” We read about Mary of Bethany three times in the gospels, and on each occasion, she is in the same place – at the feet of Jesus. Unless we meet Christ personally and privately each day, we will soon end up like Martha, busy but not blessed. Earlier in this chapter, the religious leader asked Jesus what he must do to be saved. Jesus reminded him of the first and greatest commandment, which is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. Worshipping and loving God is at the heart of all that we are and all that we do as followers of Yeshua. Before we can ever represent Christ, we must first spend time with Him, sitting at His feet in worship and listening to Him through His Word.
As believers, we are called to be ambassadors to the nations, love our neighbors and worship our Messiah, but the greatest of these duties is worship. It begins with our individual walk with the Lord, and one day it will end there as well when we stand before Him on that day of judgment, giving account for our love and obedience to Him. So whether we are in the harvest field, on the highway or in the home, our highest privilege and our greatest joy is to do the will of God.
If you would like continued prayer, feel free to email me at tonif77@gmail.com. I would love to pray for you!