Seventy-Two Plus Me                                     Luke 10:1-20

We’ve spent the past couple of weeks looking at the salvation God offers, how it’s eternal and how we respond to it. Today I wanted to get back to some of the events in Jesus life, why Jesus was doing what he did and how it affects our life by its teaching.

Luke 10:1,“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 to go.”

I remember when I was young and thought about Jesus and his disciples I had this image of just thirteen men wandering from town to town talking about the Kingdom of God. There were crowds at times but I always thought that they went home at dusk leaving just the thirteen eating, sharing and laughing around a campfire.

Today we see it wasn’t quite like I imagined as a child. There may have been twelve in Jesus inner circle but there were a whole host of others who followed Jesus around. These people heard Jesus preach, and some of them understood his message and it’s from this group that Jesus is picking from. It’s people from this group that Jesus is sending out into the countryside.

As I read through this the first thing I noticed was none of their names are recorded. The Bible is full of lists of names and yet these seventy-two that Jesus trusts to send out with his message aren’t named. I come to find that when people’s names aren’t given very often it’s so we don’t get hung up on who they were, this way as we study them they can represent all mankind.

Because these seventy-two aren’t named they probably are not prominent in society, they most likely are not leaders. They are ordinary people living in the area. And this is important because it shows us who God plans on sending out to share his message of the crucifixion, the resurrection and salvation. It’s not the leaders of nations, it’s not the leaders of industry; it’s people who live and struggle, people who make mistakes and yet see God in their lives. I’m no one special and it still amazes me that God came alongside me and I’m the one up here. It is a minister’s job to teach but it is also my job to encourage you and enable you to go out like these seventy-two and share what God has done.

And about the seventy-two, why is the Bible so exact about the number? Some Biblical scholars believe that the seventy-two missionaries represent the seventy nations of the world listed in Genesis 10 plus the upper and lower kingdoms of Israel. Therefore Jesus is demonstrating that God’s salvation is intended for everyone,  people from every nation and language will share his Word with others spreading Christ’s church to every corner of the world.

Luke 10:2, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”

I read this and thought about all the “we’re hiring” signs I see. There’s a lot of work available but not enough workers. During Jesus ministry there was just a handful who really understood. Jesus knew he was only going to be here for a short time; without others to spread the message many souls would be lost. This is of great importance to us. If we refuse to talk of our faith, we are refusing to spread the seed of salvation. How many will be lost to heaven because we are afraid to speak?

Luke 10:3, “I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.”

Jesus is sending them out into a world where multitudes of people in Israel didn’t really understand their own scriptures, into a world where Gentiles were worshiping a horde of false gods, into a world where most probably would not want to listen to them talk Jesus and his message.

We are the new seventy-two. We are sent out by Jesus to spread the word. And in these verses Jesus is telling us it will not be an easy road to walk down. We will face those that will scoff at us. We’ll meet people who think our faith is misguided. We will encounter people who will try to discredit us by pointing out every mistake we make.

Our scripture has Jesus calling the seventy-two lambs. He is reflecting in theme the image of himself; he’s telling them and us that we should expect to be given the same rejection that Jesus did.

We read how Jesus sent these lambs out in pairs. Why, they could cover more ground alone? Ever sit in a dark house with the power out and a storm outside? Ever go camping and sit by the fire at two in the morning hearing noises from just beyond the light? It can be un-nerving. But being with someone else bolsters our courage and gives us confidence. This is why God wants us to worship together. Together we lift each other up when a world tells us we’re being foolish. Worshiping together helps us to be confident in our faith.

Verse 4, “Do not take a purse or a bag or sandals.”

Ok, Jesus wants these people to traipse around the country with nothing? How does he expect them to get food or a bed for the night?

I have a job, money, a decent car; I have confidence in my things and in my ability to replace them. Jesus is telling me I have a false confidence in the flesh and in earthly things. Jesus sends them out with nothing so the only thing they can rely on, the only thing they can have confidence in is God.

I still struggle with this. I work hard, I provide for my family, I save for retirement; but the reality is still that everything I have can be taken in an instant. God wants us to know he is the provider of everything and we need to put out trust in him.

I have friends who go to Africa to preach in the villages out in the bush. They are miles and hours away from the city, from the authorities and from medical help. They are totally relying on the people they preach to. They know in a way I can’t how to be totally trusting and relying on God.

As a Christian I am provided for by my secure place in heaven and as I said God has blessed me. I admit I have it easy. But we know there are people in the world who have nothing, no clean water, not enough food or medicine. They watch as parents, friends and children die of preventable diseases or a lack of basic needs. These people know what it’s like to put your total hope and confidence in God and his future in heaven.

There’s a lot more in these verses and we’ll come back to it someday but for now I want to look at what I see as the basic theme of these verses; fear.

Jesus addresses our fear a lot. Don’t be afraid he tells his disciples as he walks on water, don’t be afraid he tells Jarius when he raises his daughter from the dead.

As I prayed over this I saw four fears that Jesus addresses in our lives. The first is the fear of people. Again we are called to share God’s message. We are called to bless others. Some will support what we do, some will reject it. We fear how others will make us feel by their reactions. Jesus tells us we are free from fearing someone’s response to our work in God’s name. When we see someone’s brokenness, their pain and need and we offer help and prayer; their reaction is not the point. Their reaction does not define us. The fact that we are working for God and his kingdom, that is what defines us.

The second fear is the fear of failure. I know people who tell me they don’t talk to others about God because they’re afraid they won’t say the right thing to win converts. Notice in our reading Jesus doesn’t tell the seventy-two to count the number of converts they get? And he doesn’t tell them to counter people who resist by pushing harder. This is why I don’t get into arguments with people if they ask if the flood really happened or if Jonah could really live in the belly of a fish for three days. When a non-believer brings these things up it’s usually in an attempt to discredit your beliefs and prove you’re wrong; and in that case it’s a debate you can’t win.

I talk about God, how I make mistakes and how Jesus works in my life. We have to remember that in Jesus day when he died on the cross it looked like his ministry was a failure. But from a spiritual point of view sin was dealt with and God prevailed. So today with war s and poverty, with a virus killing people across the globe it can look like God is absent; but we are secure in our future heaven.

I tell people to look around, see the ways people are helped by those who claim Christ. Food, water, and medicine all being brought to the needy; people sharing the Gospel and allowing the Holy Spirit to work. God triumphs in his creation.

The third fear is the fear of things. It’s important for us to make this distinction; there’s nothing wrong with the things, it’s our attitude toward the things that’s the problem. When our desire for earthly objects supersedes our desire for God, there’s the problem. Remember, lacking what others have does not mean you are lacking.

And the fourth fear is the fear of needs. Jesus tells the seventy-two not once but twice to eat what was placed in front of them. They are not to deny themselves even a small meal offered by the poor.

All through scripture we see Jesus is not afraid to seek hospitality. We all have needs and too often we’re afraid to admit it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Now there’s one thing I have always had trouble with, if someone offers help especially if they noticed my need without me mentioning it, I have a habit of politely refusing because I don’t want them put out. Jesus tells these missionaries and us do not refuse help, ultimately it’s God who is sending it to you.

So again I say go out and share your faith. You have always been who God planned on sharing his Word. If someone tells you they’re not interested, it’s ok Christ was rejected and our lives are a reflection of his. In all honesty when people have told me they are not interested it’s always been done politely. We can only try it’s up to the Holy Spirit to make someone receptive.

Don’t live with the four fears, have confidence in Christ’s presence in your life.

And last, verse 20, “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” If God grants you abundance in life don’t boast about it. Abundance on earth is temporary. However we should boast about our lives, boast that God gave you his grace and mercy through faith in Christ.

Amen.