Monday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Luke 10
1 The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. 2 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. 3 Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.
1 The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. 2 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. 3 Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
10:1 seventy-two. Many very old and reliable Greek manuscripts have “seventy-two” here and in v. 17, while many other old and reliable manuscripts have “seventy,” and all interpreters agree that it is difficult to decide about which number was in the original of Luke’s Gospel. Most modern translations have decided in favor of “seventy-two,” based on basic principles for determining manuscript readings. In any case, no doctrinal issue is at stake, and the number probably has symbolic significance representing the number of nations in the world (cf. Genesis 10). Sending them out two-by-two fulfills the OT requirement for two witnesses (Deut. 17:6; 19:15).
10:3 I am sending (Gk. apostellō) you. Although only the Twelve are named “apostles” (6:13; 9:10; 22:14; Acts 1:26), others are also “sent ones.” as lambs in the midst of wolves. See note on Matt. 10:16; also John 10:12. “Lambs” implies that the disciples should not attempt to gain converts by force; the spread of the gospel is to come through preaching the “good news” of Jesus Christ and inviting hearers to respond willingly (cf. Matt. 11:28; John 1:11–12; Acts 3:19; Rom. 10:14–17; Rev. 22:17). The principle that genuine religious commitment cannot be compelled by force sets Christianity in clear contrast to significant segments of Islam, Hinduism, and many tribal religions.
10:4 No sandals probably means not to take an extra pair, since Jesus is telling them what they should not carry. They are to greet no one. Such greetings were lengthy and time-consuming (cf. 2 Kings 4:29).
10:3 I am sending (Gk. apostellō) you. Although only the Twelve are named “apostles” (6:13; 9:10; 22:14; Acts 1:26), others are also “sent ones.” as lambs in the midst of wolves. See note on Matt. 10:16; also John 10:12. “Lambs” implies that the disciples should not attempt to gain converts by force; the spread of the gospel is to come through preaching the “good news” of Jesus Christ and inviting hearers to respond willingly (cf. Matt. 11:28; John 1:11–12; Acts 3:19; Rom. 10:14–17; Rev. 22:17). The principle that genuine religious commitment cannot be compelled by force sets Christianity in clear contrast to significant segments of Islam, Hinduism, and many tribal religions.
10:4 No sandals probably means not to take an extra pair, since Jesus is telling them what they should not carry. They are to greet no one. Such greetings were lengthy and time-consuming (cf. 2 Kings 4:29).
Study Questions:
- Jesus sends out the 72 to share the message that the Kingdom of God is near. In verse 2 he tells them that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. We've all heard this verse before, but there is more here than meets the eye. His compassion was brought on by His knowledge of what awaits those who refuse to repent; the harvest he’s talking about wasn’t just about bringing people into the kingdom of God. It was the gathering of sinners for their final judgment. All of humanity is heading for God’s judgment and eternal hell, and only few are working to reach them with the saving truth of the Gospel. When was the last time your heart was truly broken over the state of peoples' souls? Who in your life, people you love and care for, are heading for eternal punishment unless God intervenes?
- True evangelism begins with an awareness of their desperate condition and with the realization that they all face the terrifying reality of eternal punishment. The first takeaway on Sunday was that this reality needs to break our hearts. We need a sense of urgency when we see so many people around us that need Jesus. What would you say your level of urgency is when it comes to sharing the gospel? How often do you think about how short time is running? How often does that move you to act?
Pray:
- That you would be broken over your lost loved ones.
- That you would live with a sense of urgency.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
6. Is the Bible God’s word? Jesus proved He is God by rising from the dead and said the Old Testament was God’s word and gave authority to the Apostles to write the words of the New Testament under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so that all the words of the Bible are God’s Word.
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
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