LUKE 10:1-24 PRAY-ERS AND LABORERS There were a number of areas the Lord Jesus Christ wanted to reach quickly and effectively. When the twelve were sent out, there was a real stir among the people that reached even to the king. When the seventy were sent two by two, again the message was the kingdom of God has come. The message was the important part of the work. The healing of the sick was to give emphasis to the message. They weren't told to cast out demons. The area beyond Jordan (Perea) had been neglected by the Jews as unimportant. Galilee and the Galileans had been held in contempt as a low-class place and the people there were looked down upon by the leadership of Israel. Samaria and Samaritans, a mixed race of people, were despised and hated. "The Jews have no dealing with the Samaritans." It was to these people in these areas the seventy were sent to take the message of the kingdom of God.
We may look down on cultures, countries and even classes of people, but they are important to God. Our prejudices have to be forsaken and our preconceived thoughts of people are places must be rejected in view of the commission we have been given. True, our commission is to the world, not just to those of a particular place and people, but the principle remains the same. Where people are in need of hearing the Gospel, we need to pray first, and then go to those people.
The work that lay before the seventy disciples was a planned work. There was nothing haphazard about it. Not only the twelve who were especially chosen to be with Him, but there were many more who were to be involved in this work. Those who were learning from Him and were following Him were now sent out by Him to share in the work of the kingdom. They knew where they were to go and they knew they were not to go alone. By sending out two out together there would be support by each other, and encouragement when opposition came. They were going out "as lambs among wolves," so would need each other to keep their guard up and to maintain the guidelines the Lord had given. There is personal and moral safety when two are laboring together in the same work at the same place. This was a planned work no doubt and there was two parts to it. They were to pray for other laborers to go into the harvest and to go themselves in the way the Lord of the harvest chose to sent them. We need to pray for laborers to go into the harvest in our day. It is important that we also continue to pray for those who are laboring in places all around this world. There was not to be the encumbrances of a long siege or journey. This was an urgent commission to be accomplished as quick as possible. The kingdom of God had come right to where the people were. There were to be no distractions by lengthy discussions along the way. The message was to be delivered and the proofs given to the message by the healing of sick people. Then they were to move on.
When the Gospel is preached today not everyone reacts the same to the truth of God. Some want to hear more; some reject it outright and others believe the message. It is true there is an urgency to what we do, but the practice of Gospel activity now is somewhat different than what was done at that time. Paul was in Corinth for at least a year and a half. In other places like Thessalonica, there was a quicker response. So, we can't make this a template for our practice. We can make sure the message we have been given to declare is delivered and the importance of acting upon the truth is made clear to those to whom we preach. There are many areas that are neglected, treated with contempt or hated, but God intends us to go where He sends us.
The results of a work for God are not a reason for us to be proud. The seventy seemed to take a bit of pride in the fact that demons were subject to them. The Lord Jesus very plainly told them what had already happened to Satan and that the reason demons were subject to them was because of a greater power than theirs. We have to make sure our priorities are right. Any victories that might come are because of Him not us. Our cause for rejoicing is that our names are written in heaven and God allows us to represent Him here on earth is a wonder. Any accomplishments are to have all glory given to the Lord Jesus. Satan's downfall was pride and we are in danger of the same thing.
In His prayer of joy and thanksgiving the Lord expressed thanks that the things of God are not understood or appreciated only by the wise and educated few, but are available to all in spite of our lack of ability. Childlike trust and real faith make possible to every person who trusts Him, the capacity to fulfill every mission He gives us. Through the Lord Jesus Christ revealing the things of God to us, we can understand how to accomplish His work, carry out His principles in action, pass on teaching and reach other people with the message we have been entrusted with. Prophets and kings of the past could only vaguely see what we know personally and are able to pass on to others around us.
To speak for God is a responsibility and privilege of highest import. This in ourselves is impossible to accomplish but done with divine support. When asked by the Lord of the harvest to pray, that is where we begin. After that we go to fulfill our mission telling people about Him.
The kingdom of God has come and is here, the Gospel message makes that plain. Authority to speak and be effective in it, is by the power of Jesus' name. Our role together as we move from place to place is to represent Him who is coming. Those who give heed will be ready for Him, those who don't are given a warning.
Two going together is a practice passed on to us by Him who wisely sent us. Safety is one reason for two, we are firmly supported by one we can trust. In the "mouth of two or three" every word is established and paid attention to. Those who respond will be ready for Him when Jesus of Nazareth passes through.
Our work is quite different from the seventy, the whole world is where we are called. But the principles that guide us are very similar when biblical practices are followed. Those who go forth need to take time to pray, and makes sure the message is clear. Then we are told to speak out for the Lord and tell people salvation is near.
When the message is given in the way God wants, He adds His blessing to results that come. Our part is to pray for others and ourselves, then go to each place knowing there will be some Who pay heed, some who will reject and, by God's grace some will truly believe. They are those who become God's children when by faith, they the Savior receive.
Praying and laboring go together in the work of the kingdom of God. We do our part with enthusiasm and faith, then put our full trust in the Lord. To bring to completion what He began when He sent us to tell others good news. When we come back to give our report, we will be glad what He said we did not refuse.
"Gracious God my Father, with joy I hear from time to time what Thou art doing in other parts of the world. I praise and thank Thee for every faithful messenger who is telling others the good news of the kingdom of God. May much glory be brought to Thee by the efforts of Thy faithful servants - and even this unprofitable servant. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."