Lessons from the Gospel of Luke: Faith in Action

Read Luke 10:1 – 24

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gave us our mission to reach the world for Him. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19a, NIV84.) Jesus gave us directions to complete that mission in Luke 10. 

His time on earth was growing short, and His goal was to reach as many people as possible with His message.  To do that, He appointed 72 disciples to go ahead of Him to prepare the people’s hearts for His message.  He didn’t just say, “Go!”  He gave them specific instructions for their mission.  Those eight instructions provide the outline for missionary service around the world today.  This week, we will look at four of them.

• He sent His followers out in groups of two.  Today, we send missionaries out in teams.  Why? Because challenges, discouragement, and hardships are found on any mission field. Jesus knew that together they could support and encourage each other, increasing the odds that they could complete the mission.

• He told them to pray for more workers for the harvest.  Christians are still praying that prayer today.  Over 6,000,000 people still have not heard the Good News, and we need more workers for the harvest.

• Jesus warned them that He was “…sending [them] out like lambs among wolves” (vs.3, NIV84). He and His disciples faced a hostile world not ready to receive His message.  Today, the world is just as hostile, and the persecution of Christians is growing in many places. It is often difficult for Christians to enter certain countries to preach the Gospel, because the “wolves” are still eager to attack the “lambs.”

• Surprisingly, the disciples were told: “Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road” (vs. 4, NIV84). At first glance, it may appear that He didn’t want them to be prepared or befriend people.  However, that initial observation ignores the purpose of their mission.  By taking nothing with them, they were forced to depend on God and trust that He would provide.  That dependence and faith are crucial when you face the “wolves”. He also wanted them to understand that the mission was urgent.  There was no time for idle chitchat. The same is still true today.

The harvest is still plentiful, and there is no time to delay! Pray, send, or go! The lost are waiting for us to complete the mission.  Check back next week for the rest of our instructions.