Sending out the 72
Luke 10:1-9

This gospel reading describes Jesus sending out the 72 disciples in pairs to towns and villages to prepare them for His arrival. Jesus sent them out with several instructions on how to conduct themselves in this task. They must travel light, rely on local hospitality, heal the sick and proclaim the nearness of the Kingdom of Heaven.

This week the church celebrated the feast day of St Luke, the day where we celebrate the life and work of Luke the gospel writer and missionary, as he supported the Apostle Paul in his mission.

Luke wrote a large part of our New Testament, his gospel and also the Acts of the Apostles.

We know that Luke was a prolific writer, and he has left us a very strong impression of himself by what he wrote in his gospel. He emphasises Jesus Christ’s compassion recorded both in power demonstrated by His life and by the care with which He treated people. But we still know very little of his life. St Paul gives us a few details in his letter to the Colossians, and we find that Luke was from Antioch. His job which he used to support himself and his work for the kingdom was a travelling physician and he was also a gentile. That’s rather surprising that a non-Jew wrote so much of the New Testament. His book, The Acts of the apostles tells us that he travelled with Paul on two of his missionary journeys.

Tradition has it that he lived to the ripe old age of 84, and he died as a martyr, but there is some doubt about this. During his life Luke gathered eyewitness accounts from those who were close to Jesus. These accounts along with others would eventually become his gospel, which he wrote to a certain Christian named Theophilus.

As I mentioned earlier Luke was a physician, but God also had another calling on his life, to be sent out to preach the good news of the gospel.

The gospel reading appointed for today his feast day reflects his own account of Jesus sending out the seventy two.

The Lord said this just before He sent the 72 out into a fairly hostile environment. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the harvest fields”. The Lord is not talking here about fields of wheat or barley, He is talking about human beings, living souls, for God wants everyone to have the opportunity to enter His kingdom. We can help by telling others our own journey to faith and what God has done in our lives.

There are 4 lessons from our gospel reading this morning from Luke 10 verses one to nine that can help us as we speak to others about God’s saving grace. We could even use Luke as an example, why not read his account in the Acts of the Apostles and use that as a guidebook.

First lesson – The Harvest is Plentiful

In Luke 10:2, Jesus tells His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”

This verse reminds us of the vast opportunities to share the Gospel and the need for more

labourers in God’s field. As believers, we are called to be active participants in spreading the Good News, knowing that the fields are ripe for harvest. We have to seize every opportunity to share the love of Christ with those around us. I know that that is not an easy task to do but remember that Jesus is with us when we speak to others about the kingdom of God.

Second lesson – Go with Simplicity and Trust

When Jesus sends out the 72, He instructs them to “carry no purse or bag or sandals” (Luke 10:4). This lesson teaches us to rely on God’s provision and to travel light, both physically and spiritually. By trusting in God’s care, we can focus on our mission without being weighed down by unnecessary burdens.

Third lesson – Peace as a Greeting

In Luke 10:5, Jesus advises, “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.'” Offering peace is a powerful way to open doors and hearts. As we interact with others, let our words and actions be filled with peace, reflecting the peace that Christ has given each one of us. This approach can create a welcoming environment for sharing the Gospel.

Forth lesson -The Kingdom of God is Near

Jesus instructs His disciples to proclaim, “The kingdom of God has come near to you” (Luke 10:9). This message is as relevant today as it was then. We are ambassadors of God’s kingdom, bringing His presence into every situation. Let’s live in a way that reflects the nearness of God’s kingdom, inviting others to experience His love and grace.

Jesus gave to His disciples a principal to guide their actions as they ministered to others, which I think should guide us as we minister to those who are seeking to learn more about the saving power of Jesus and it this. “Freely you have received, freely give”, why, because God has freely showered us with blessings. Then we should give generously of our love and of our time to those who we meet in our everyday lives.

Blessings Rev Ian