Our mission as
believers can be summed up as these: share the Gospel with others, love God and
others, serve people, and rejoice in our salvation (and, by extension, rejoice
in God). Luke 10:1-24 expands on this. First, we see Jesus sending out the
seventy-two, requiring them to trust God. He asks them to pray, which implies a
trust that God will answer (v 2). He also sends them out without provisions to
display that God will provide for their needs along the way (v 7-8). He
requires that these ministers not only preach the Gospel, but that they also
heal the sick (v 9). Proclamation of the Gospel is tied to compassion and
service. Upon returning, the seventy-two
celebrate the authority that Jesus has given them over demons (v 17). Jesus,
while acknowledging that this gift is good, points them toward a greater gift –
salvation. While we should be grateful for the spiritual gifts we are given,
nothing compares to the joy of knowing that “your name is recorded in heaven”
(v 20). We are to take a cue from Jesus and celebrate the Father and what He
has done (v 21-22). We have the amazing privilege of knowing Jesus (v 23-24)!
What a cause to celebrate!
Journaling and Prayer
1. Jesus
taught that sharing the Gospel is tied together with serving people and having
compassion for them. Ask God for one practical step you can do this week in
each of these areas (sharing the Gospel, serving and compassion). It might be
one step that encompasses the three or a step in each area. Write whatever He
shows you down and ask the Holy Spirit to help you follow through.
2. Review
how Jesus praised God in verses 21-22. Worship not only glorifies God, it also
changes our hearts. Spend some time worshipping God. Ask the Holy Spirit to
show you how to do this. You can praise God for who He is and what He’s done.
3. The
Holy Spirit empowered Jesus’ followers to minister in Luke 10. Ask the Holy
Spirit who you should pray for today. Pray for the first person who comes to
mind, regardless of how you feel about it. God desires to partner with you in
loving this person! If you don’t know how to pray ask the Holy Spirit to show
you what to pray for or just pray over the person the same things you would
like to receive.
