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2010 Luke’s Gospel

The Proclaim the Kingdom of God

Luke 10:1-24

Key Verse: 10:9 "Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.'"

In the last passage Jesus taught us that a truly great man is a humble man, like Jesus. Although Jesus is the Creator God who made the heavens and the earth, he was not stuck in his glory and power and came down to this world. He served all kinds of sinners and finally gave his life as a ransom sacrifice on the cross. Then God raised him from the dead and made him the King of kings and Lord of lords. May God help us to learn the humbleness of Jesus, and truly become great men and women in the sight of God.

In today’s passage Jesus sends out seventy-two other disciples to the harvest fields. Their mission was to proclaim the kingdom of God. This is not only their mission, but ours as well. It is our prayer and our mission that we may receive the kingdom of God and proclaim the kingdom of God. May God help us to do so starting from today and on. Amen.

First, “Lord, send out workers” (1-3)

Look at verse 1. “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.” The words “after this” refer to the events in the previous passage. If you remember last passage from two weeks ago, Jesus had made a firm decision of faith to obey the will of God and go to Jerusalem to die on the cross for the sin of the world. But his disciples were still immature, selfish and narrow-minded, arguing about who would be the greatest. Jesus must have been very much disappointed in the midst of his young disciples. What did Jesus do? Jesus appointed seventy-two others and sent them out two by two. It looks like the Twelve were not among the seventy-two. This time, Jesus wanted The Twelve to watch what Jesus was doing for the time being. We find it quite amazing that Jesus sent out “72” disciples. That’s 6 times 12. This shows that Jesus’ ministry was expanding. It started as a small manger ministry, and now it was becoming and nationwide and even worldwide like our UBF ministry and 5 Loaves and 2 Fish Orchestra. Jesus was not discouraged by the poor spiritual condition of his disciples. Jesus was not daunted by the thought of his upcoming suffering and death on the cross either. Jesus was burning with God’s love to spread the message of the kingdom of God to the whole world. Jesus wanted to save all people on earth from the power of sin and death. This reminds us a famous verse of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Luke emphasizes that Jesus sent them “two by two.” This was God’s wisdom. Ecclesiastes 4:9,10 say, “Two are better than one...If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” One person is very vulnerable in doing God’s work, in doing anything in fact. But two persons can form a spiritual vessel, with which they can withstand the power of Satan. When two people pray together in Jesus’ name, they can experience Jesus’ presence and help. Matthew 18:19 says, “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” There is a clear reason why we pray two by two and study the Bible one to one. 

Look at verse 2. “He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” To Jesus, the harvest was plentiful. Jesus could see the wondering people thirsting for the living water of God’s word. There were so many lonely people who sought for their true Friend and Shepherd, the one like Jesus. There were so many weary people who were tired of living in sin and longed for the holiness of God. But the workers were few. The Pharisees and teachers of the law were supposed to be the shepherds for their nation. But they were not at all interested in suffering people. Jesus was heart-broken. Jesus wanted to visit all of them one by one. But it seemed impossible. In that despairing situation, Jesus asked his disciples to pray for God’s help. Sometimes we are simply overwhelmed by the spiritual need of our school even in our house. We see many things to be done, but we don’t know where to start. But we learn from Jesus to start with prayer. We must pray that the Lord may send out workers starting from us to Highland Park schools, Princeton, and Sci-Core, and many more schools and places.

Look at verse 3. “Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” After prayer, Jesus sent out seventy-two disciples into the harvest field. They were not well-trained and mature; they were like little lambs. The situation they were confronting was dangerous, like going into a den of wolves. Nevertheless, Jesus sent them out in his divine compassion.

It was a foretaste of Jesus’ own entry into Jerusalem. God sent Jesus, his one and only Son, as the Lamb of God for the sin of the world. Our JBF members are cute and pure, like little lambs. Surely, Jesus wants to use us to harvest souls this New Year. Let us pray that we may joyfully participate in God’s harvest with burning desires and compassion for the people in need. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. This is the reality then and reality now. It is our responsibility to take part and take action by faith. I pray that we can hear and obey Jesus’ command, “Go! I am sending you out.”

Second, tell them, “The kingdom of God is near you” (4-16).

In verses 4-12, Jesus gave several instructions. The disciples could have a fruitful harvest when they followed these instructions carefully. Look at verse 4. “Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.” Simply speaking, this means to depend on God and not to be distracted. Sinful human beings want to depend on their own clever calculations instead of depending on God. Depending on God and having absolute faith in God is essential for the work of God to take place. The concert we had last week is an excellent example. When we, the orchestra members accepted our human limit, and decided to give everything we have to Jesus, He surely blessed the concert abundantly where people were encouraged and blessed by our humble 5 Loaves and 2 Fish Orchestra. Praise God!

Look at verses 5-6. “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.” The disciples were to impart the peace that Jesus gives. Where do you think the true peace comes from? When did you feel the true peace in your heart? The true peace with God comes from forgiveness of sins. I still remember the time when God filled my heart and soul with the divine peace and joy when I repented of my sins deeply with tears and broken heart. Those who have Jesus in their hearts instead of sinful thoughts can have peace with God, and we must share this peace in our greetings to others. Not everyone would accept their greeting of peace. However we do not have to be despaired. If he or she does not accept the peaceful greeting, it comes right back to you.

Look at verse 7. “Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.” We must not move around house to house or town to town in order to find better sheep or a better living environment. We must stay in the place where they are accepted and learn to overcome even a harsh situation.

And finally Jesus tells them the message the 72 were to deliver boldly. Look at verse 9. Let us read verse 9 together. “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’” First of all, healing the sick reveals the character of the kingdom of God. God is love. God is concerned about each person and wants to extend his personal touch to our sickness or problem that damages our lives. Now the disciples’ main purpose is to proclaim the message, “The kingdom of God is near you.” Here, “the kingdom of God” refers to Jesus himself. Mark 1:15 says, “‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!’” Whoever repents and believes Jesus can have the kingdom of God in their hearts. Jesus drives out demons and heals sin-sicknesses and rules our hearts with peace and love.

Some people think the kingdom of God is only for old people who are ready to leave this world. But the kingdom of God is the best blessing to anybody, no matter who he or she may be. There was a man named Levi the tax collector. He studied well in school, became a successful businessman and achieved his dream. But he was never happy. He was selfish and he loved money. His friends from childhood all left him. The people treated him as a betrayer of a nation. He was known as a public sinners along with the people with fatal diseases and prostitutes. He was lonely, sorrowful and miserable. One day Jesus lightened Levi’s life by calling him, “Follow me.” Levi got up, left everything, and followed Jesus. The kingdom of God came to his heart. His selfishness was healed and he no longer loved money. He could taste the love of Jesus. He began to love and serve others. He found his life direction. Finally, he became a model citizen of the kingdom of God who could write the Sermon on the Mount.

The kingdom of God gives us true joy and peace and the love of God while on earth. But that’s not all. The kingdom of God is our eternal home. What is the Kingdom of God? Yes literally our home! And this gives us a clear destination and direction of life. It gives us a living hope in this perishing world. What do you hope for? Better grades? Prettier face? Good college? Living in a luxurious house? Owning a Mercedes or BMW’s? Yes, these hopes are alright. But hope in this world does not last because it is rooted in things that perish. We must not hope for the things that exist today, but can perish tomorrow. Only the kingdom of God gives us a living hope because it stands tall today and forever. 1 Peter 1:3,4 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–kept in heaven for you.” When we accept Jesus in our hearts, we have the promise of heaven as our everlasting inheritance.

Look at verses 13-15. Korazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were the cities in which Jesus spent most of his time during his Galilean ministry. There he had healed the sick and driven out evil spirits and proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God. But many of them did not repent their sins. Now Jesus grieves for them. Without repentance and faith in Jesus, no one can enter the kingdom of God. Instead, they would be put into eternal punishment in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Some people like to think that Jesus is “Love”, and try to take advantage his love. However Jesus is also the God of justice that he cannot hates and punishes sins. Finally Jesus said in verse 16, “He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” Those who reject gospel workers are rejecting Jesus and even God himself. Therefore, we, the Gospel workers should not put our face down when we experience rejections. Gospel workers must simply and faithful deliver the message, “The kingdom of God is near.”

Third, Jesus teaches his disciples how to rejoice in God (17-24).

Look at verse 17. “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’” The seventy-two disciples experienced the great power of Jesus. When they rebuked evil spirits in the name of Jesus, the demons ran away. The disciples became a source of blessing for others and true servants of Jesus. They were so happy they must have been singing and dancing to the beat. Jesus was also happy. Jesus enjoyed the spiritual victory over Satan that had been promised by God from the beginning (18,19). Though the seventy-two had been like lambs among wolves, they had absolute protection and everlasting victory in Jesus’ name.

Look at verse 20. “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” In doing God’s work there are ups and downs. Sometimes we can see demons flee away from our eyes and have joyful victory. But sometimes the work of God does not seem to make much progress. If our joy depends on our success in doing God’s work, we will go up and down until we become so tired in spirit. Jesus teaches us to find the source of joy in our relationship with him, not in the success of the ministry or experience. Jesus gives us the grace of forgiveness of sins and writes our names in the book of life in heaven. Jesus saves us by his grace, not because we are successful in doing his work. We can always rejoice that our names are written in heaven. Is your name written in the book of heaven? Do you think so? Do you think that God is about to erase your name from the book because of your constant sins without repenting them? Again, it all comes down to our relationship with Jesus. Ask yourselves, “Lord, how it is between us?” It’s about the time that we make sure that all our names are clearly written in the book of life on God’s personal desk. There is nothing more important than our names written in heaven. Amen.

Look at verses 23-24. “Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.’” Here, Jesus seems to be addressing the Twelve. They had not gone on the evangelistic journey. They were on probation. But they were most blessed to see the work of God going on through Jesus. They were more blessed than many prophets and kings. Jesus wanted them to see themselves in view of God’s history and realize how blessed they were. Jesus wants his disciples to learn how to rejoice in God and be really happy.

In this passage we learned Jesus’ compassionate shepherd’s heart for all people. Jesus sent out seventy-two other disciples to proclaim the kingdom of God. Then Satan’s kingdom was totally defeated and the kingdom of God expanded. Jesus and his disciples were overjoyed. Reflecting from today’s passage, it is our turn that we listen to Jesus’ command and obey absolutely. Let us read verses 2 and 3.He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” I pray that we can all go as Jesus is sending us with the power and authority. I pray most importantly that we can boldly proclaim the word of God, “The Kingdom of God is near you.” Let us read the key verse, verse 9. “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’ Amen.