Luke 10:1-24

Let us begin today with some thoughts about aspects of this passage.

·        10:1: the Lord appointed seventy others also.  It is important to understand that THE TWELVE were not the only disciples, nor were they the only ones being trained to be “fishers of men.”  The task of Jesus, in this age, to build my church involves all believers.  Disciples make disciples.  We also note that these seventy also had authority over disease and demons (v9,17-19).

·        10:5-7: These verses describe hospitality, something that was normal in the Jewish culture and which believers are called to today (Heb. 13:2; Rom. 12:13).  This may seem strange today but only because we have turned over this duty to hotels and restaurants, a choice that has led to the loss of blessing.

Ruins at Chorazin.

·        10:9,11: the kingdom of God has come near to you.  This is the message they were to preach, as Jesus preached (Lk. 4:43; Mt. 4:23).  The ministry of the seventy was like Jesus: preaching accompanied by signs (cf. Heb. 2:1-4).  The nearness of the kingdom of God is bound up in the nearness of the King.

The "Fish House" at the Bethsaida archaeological site.

·        10:13-16: In the kingdom of God there is accountability.  People are taken at their word.  The gospel  always calls for a response and when people choose to reject the message there are consequences.  Chorazin (photo to the right), Bethsaida (photo below) and Capernaum are all communities at the northern end of the Sea of Galilee.  The first two are a pile of rubble today.  The last, Capernaum, is only developed as a tourist site; it is not a residential community.  Today, as was the case with the seventy, those who preach the gospel speak for Christ.  Mercy is available for all.  But those who reject the gospel forfeit God’s mercy.

·        10:18: I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.  Jesus certainly is referring to the moment in time when Satan/Lucifer was cast out of the presence of God (Isa. 14:12-14).  In John 12:31 Jesus said Satan’s fall was still future.  The scriptures indicate Satan was cast from heaven and occupies the heavens between the Heaven that is God’s dwelling and the earth (e.g. he is the prince of the power of the air, Eph. 2:2).  A time is coming when he will be cast to the earth (Rev. 12:7-12).  Remember to keep these words in context.  Jesus is saying to the seventy, “Don’t be so excited about authority over demons; I even saw Satan fall from heaven.  Rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”  What a great thought: Satan is cast out of heaven but the names of believers are settled in heaven!

·        10:24: We see here the progress of revelation.  What the seventy and others saw in Jesus’ incarnation was something the prophets predicted and longed to see.  The words and actions of those prophets were a shadow of the reality being seen by the people of Israel and especially the region of Galilee.

This passage begs us to think about what brings us joy in our relationship with Christ.  Jesus says rejoice not in the display of the signs but rather rejoice in your salvation.  He Himself rejoiced in the Spirit that, in the midst of the general rejection of the supposedly wise and prudent leaders, the Father was revealing Christ to simple people, people with simple faith!  If by faith you have come to know Christ, it means God has revealed His Son in you (Gal. 1:15-17).  You should understand that you are blessed by God!