As children in school we were often asked to pick out the main idea of a story or passage. We focused on the important parts of the passage and ignored the minute details. Reading the bible often becomes a cursory glance at the important names and dialogue in the specific chapter. We don’t delve into the specifics of why Jesus said certain things or what he meant by them. Why were the disciples sent out in pairs? Why were they asked to not speak to anyone they came across on the road? Delving into the scripture helps us discern the importance of the details.
Our purpose of spreading the Gospel was not designed to be a solo mission.
“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” - Luke 10: 1-2We are blessed with brothers and sisters, sharers of the gospel, and spreaders of the truth. We are united in a common goal of extending the Kingdom. Living in the 21st century, we are encouraged to be independent and not rely on anyone else for support, to be self sufficient, self reliant, and self-sustaining. However, throughout the bible, people who had a key impact in delivering the Word had a fellow brother or sister to lean on. Naomi had Ruth, Moses had Aaron, Abraham had Sarah, and Mordecai had Esther. Likewise, we need a firm relationship with fellow Christians. We need a confidant, partner, encourager, and advisor; someone to lean on and someone to carry.
“Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.” - Luke 10:3,4There are no delusions about what is asked of us.
“Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”
The path we are asked to take is not easy but filled with obstacles. We are not meant to arm ourselves with worldly possessions, but with the fruits of the Spirit. Lambs don’t have a defensive strategy to protect themselves from the wolves. They rely completely on the Shepherd to shield them. Similarly, we have no weapons against the wolves of the world other than our Lord. How will any of the objects of wealth we amass be greater than the Shepherd who knows all, sees all, and is willing to lay his life down for his lambs?
“Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.”
At first glance, it looks like Jesus is telling us to ignore or avoid people we meet. However, he foresaw a problem that would hinder us and warned us against it. In that time period, greetings were often long affairs. Consequently, Jesus is asking us to not get distracted in our mission. Our end goal is to glorify His name and exalt His glory. When we get sidetracked, we lose focus of who we are and what our goal is. We treat everyone with kindness, we promote equality and stewardship, and in those things we strive to praise Him. Nevertheless, the little things we do should become our primary focus. Fellowship is good, service is good, and stewardship is good. But why are we having fellowship with our brothers and sisters? Why do we go to service? Why are we volunteering and giving our time and money to those who need it? If the answers are to have fun, to catch up, or to present ourselves as benefactors, we have already lost sight of the finish line. Discernment and an untarnished view of our Savior is how we strive onward.
Being a disciple of Christ isn’t easy work. Nonetheless, it is not all work without reward. We are advised to “remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house” (Luke 10:7). The Lord provides for those who do His work. Being a Christian is not about giving up all the pleasures this world has to offer and living a stark deprived life. We can enjoy all things that He has created, in due time. When things are given to us, we accept with open hands and hearts instead of striving to the next newest and greatest addition. We are made in His image to be free and fruitful. We are created with a purpose and given resources to fulfill that purpose. We are the workers of His vineyard, of His harvest, and he rewards us amply for our work at the end.
Our work is to spread the Good News, to enlighten those who have not yet heard, and to be an unwavering light to those who’s lights have been snuffed out by the world. However, we each need help as well. We are not impervious to the temptations and evils that surround us. Doubts, fears, worries, financial problems, moral dilemmas, and the ever-increasing pressure to stumble constantly batter us. Ultimately, we crumble. We stumble, we fall, and sometimes we don’t get back up. Then, when we do get back up, it’s to patch a little Band-Aid over a gaping wound and pretend that we’re okay. Jesus knew this would happen so he warned us of the Devil’s tenacious grip.
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first" -Luke 11:24-26.Patching a Band-Aid over a severed limb will not stem the flow of blood. Falling into sin is similar. Once we have fallen, it is necessary to completely restore our hearts and minds. A quick prayer, a halfhearted confession, or a single reading of a Psalms will not do. Once we have banished the evil from our hearts, we must invite someone even stronger, greater, deeper, and wider to fill us, to overcome and overwhelm us. Only then will we have the courage and desire to fight back when evil knocks on our heart again.
We have been given instruction and we are well prepared to be His soldiers. We are warriors in this war together. We are one in spirit, mind and soul. When one of us falls, we depend on the rest to pick us back up. We look to our commander, who has lead through example, showing and telling us exactly what to do. We walk in His footsteps, focused on our mission, empowered with the knowledge that He who has created the universe, defeated Death, and conquered evil walks among us and lives within us.
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