JESUS GAVE US BASIC INSTRUCTIONS IN DEALING WITH THE WORLD
I send greetings in the name of Jesus:
The longer I look into Scripture the more I see some basic truths about how Jesus thought we should deal with the world around us. In Luke 10:1-12 there is an account of Jesus sending out 72 "others"as it is said who went ahead of him to every town in place where he was about to go. These 72 people were sent out to buy two, and Jesus told them "the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Asked the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road."
One of the things that I noted was that Jesus had a specific mission for these people to accomplish. Jesus was already looking for people who might be swayed by the message of the good news that God had sent to us through him. It was a kind of initial contact that God was trying to make with us as mankind to see how well received that message might be, but he also laid down some principles and rules that we should use with the world around us. I would like to revisit a few of these things that he said to these 72 others that he sent out. First of all I want you to note that the Scripture says they were "others"which did not include the 12 disciples. What this means to me is that these others were just like you and me, they weren't special in any way, but they were devoted followers of Jesus who were gladly willing to be sent. Jesus said in verse 5 "when you enter a house, first say, peace to this house. If a man of peace is there, your peaceful rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. When you enter a town and are welcome, eat what is said before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, "the kingdom of God is near you." But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, even the dust of your own that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this; the kingdom of God is near. I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town."
Once again we find that Jesus does not mince words in his direction to those who call themselves Christian. In Christian service there is no unemployment. God has worked enough for everyone. Don't just sit back and watch others work, look for ways to help with the harvest. I think it's interesting how Jesus said "I am sending you out like lambs among wolves". That was a warning, and it meant that they would have to be careful because they would surely meet with opposition.
Today we too are being sent out into the world in the same way; like lambs AMONG wolves, and we need to be alert and remember to face these enemies not with aggression, but with love and gentleness; and there's one other thing this is a dangerous mission and it requires a sincere commitment. I think we all get the fact that Jesus is sending us out with the good news of salvation, but he didn't say that we should walk out into the world blindfolded and with our arms wide open to receive just anything that the world has to offer. Jesus told his disciples to accept hospitality graciously because their work entitled them to accept it. I think it's interesting how we have gotten around to paying ministers to do what should be the church's work. Ministers of the gospel deserve to be supported, and it is our responsibility to make sure they have what they need. The truth really is that all of us are charged toward doing the same work that any minister would do today, but there are always those you who God calls in a special way. Jesus gave to rules for the disciples to follow as a troubled. They were to eat what was set before them, that is, they were to accept hospitality without being picky, and they were to heal the sick. Because these people were willing to work at healing people they would be more willing to listen to the gospel. The idea of healing people goes much deeper than we might think. While many put the idea fourth that they were stretching their hands over people and claiming a healing on them through the name of Jesus, I believe that they healing went much deeper, and much more personal to each one who was touched by these people. I believe that they healing came in the form of a helping hand, and a loving heart to those who were open to receive it. I believe that that same field is still white until harvest if it is worked and watered, and fed by true and loving Christian hearts. May you richly bless God through your life in him.
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
The longer I look into Scripture the more I see some basic truths about how Jesus thought we should deal with the world around us. In Luke 10:1-12 there is an account of Jesus sending out 72 "others"as it is said who went ahead of him to every town in place where he was about to go. These 72 people were sent out to buy two, and Jesus told them "the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Asked the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road."
One of the things that I noted was that Jesus had a specific mission for these people to accomplish. Jesus was already looking for people who might be swayed by the message of the good news that God had sent to us through him. It was a kind of initial contact that God was trying to make with us as mankind to see how well received that message might be, but he also laid down some principles and rules that we should use with the world around us. I would like to revisit a few of these things that he said to these 72 others that he sent out. First of all I want you to note that the Scripture says they were "others"which did not include the 12 disciples. What this means to me is that these others were just like you and me, they weren't special in any way, but they were devoted followers of Jesus who were gladly willing to be sent. Jesus said in verse 5 "when you enter a house, first say, peace to this house. If a man of peace is there, your peaceful rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. When you enter a town and are welcome, eat what is said before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, "the kingdom of God is near you." But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, even the dust of your own that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this; the kingdom of God is near. I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town."
Once again we find that Jesus does not mince words in his direction to those who call themselves Christian. In Christian service there is no unemployment. God has worked enough for everyone. Don't just sit back and watch others work, look for ways to help with the harvest. I think it's interesting how Jesus said "I am sending you out like lambs among wolves". That was a warning, and it meant that they would have to be careful because they would surely meet with opposition.
Today we too are being sent out into the world in the same way; like lambs AMONG wolves, and we need to be alert and remember to face these enemies not with aggression, but with love and gentleness; and there's one other thing this is a dangerous mission and it requires a sincere commitment. I think we all get the fact that Jesus is sending us out with the good news of salvation, but he didn't say that we should walk out into the world blindfolded and with our arms wide open to receive just anything that the world has to offer. Jesus told his disciples to accept hospitality graciously because their work entitled them to accept it. I think it's interesting how we have gotten around to paying ministers to do what should be the church's work. Ministers of the gospel deserve to be supported, and it is our responsibility to make sure they have what they need. The truth really is that all of us are charged toward doing the same work that any minister would do today, but there are always those you who God calls in a special way. Jesus gave to rules for the disciples to follow as a troubled. They were to eat what was set before them, that is, they were to accept hospitality without being picky, and they were to heal the sick. Because these people were willing to work at healing people they would be more willing to listen to the gospel. The idea of healing people goes much deeper than we might think. While many put the idea fourth that they were stretching their hands over people and claiming a healing on them through the name of Jesus, I believe that they healing went much deeper, and much more personal to each one who was touched by these people. I believe that they healing came in the form of a helping hand, and a loving heart to those who were open to receive it. I believe that that same field is still white until harvest if it is worked and watered, and fed by true and loving Christian hearts. May you richly bless God through your life in him.
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
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