10:1-12 What do we learn from Christ sending these disciples out and His instructions to them?
10:1-12 What do we learn from Christ sending these disciples out and His instructions to them?
There are life principles highlighted here which apply to Christians in every age. The first principle is the sending out of the disciples in pairs "… two by two". Christ also sent the twelve out like this (cp Mk 6:7).
Sending them out two by two was for both legal and practical reasons. In the divine order every word is established in the mouth of two or three witnesses (cp Nu 35:30; Deut 17:6; 19:15; Mt 18:15-16; Jn 8:16-18; 2 Cor 13:1; He 10:28).
Scriptures also teach that two are better than one for practical purposes. When one falls the other can lift him up; when one is discouraged the other can encourage him; when one is weak the other can strengthen him; when one is prevailed against the other can stand with him (cp Pr 27:17; Ec 4:9-12; Ro 15:14).
Two can also prevail with God in unified prayer (cp Mt 18:19-20). There are many other scriptures also underlining the two by two principle (cp Mk 14:13; Lk 7:19; Jn 1:35-41; Ac 9:38; 10:7; 13:1-2; 15:27, 32, 36-41; 19:22; 1Ti 5:19). See also comments on Mk 6:7.
The second life principle is in Lk 10:2 "… pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest". Christians must constantly pray for God to send workers into the world to the unsaved that they might come to know His saving grace. His harvest is every unsaved person in the world - not only those in far-off places, but our own family members and neighbours as well.
This does not mean that we wait for God to send other Christians into the field of harvest with the gospel. We have to minister it also, to as many people as we can (cp Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:15; Lk 24:46-47; Ac 1:8). It is incumbent upon every Christian, whether at home or abroad, to share the gospel to those who do not know it, whether we feel like it or not, and whether the time is opportune or not (cp 2Cor 5:18-19; 2Ti 4:1-2; 1Pe 3:15). See also comments on 2Cor 5:18-19, 2Ti 4:1-2 and 1Pe 3:15.
The third life principle in Lk 10:1-12 is in V3, "… behold I send you forth as lambs among wolves" (cp Mt 10:16-17). We learn from this that Christians cannot expect favoured treatment in the world. They can expect to be persecuted and even killed for their witness to Christ (cp Mk 10:3; 2Ti 3:12 with Ro 8:35-36; Ac 12:1-2).
The fourth life principle is in Lu 10:4, "… carry neither purse, nor scrip nor shoes". This speaks to Christians of the urgency in proclaiming the gospel. Christians are not to worry about not having sufficient cash reserves or not having made provision for their future well-being before venturing into the field of service. Scrip (KJV), refers to a leather bag or sack for carrying provisions (cp Mt 10:10; Mk 6:8; Lk 9:3).
The urgency of proclaiming the gospel is highlighted even further in the fifth life principle, also in Lk 10:4, "… and salute no man by the way". This admonishes Christians not to spend any time on small talk with anyone they meet in their Christian walk that would retard the proclamation of the gospel. Christians must be courteous and civil toward those we meet, but we cannot waste time on profitless talk (cp 1Pe 3:8 with 2Ki 4:29).
The sixth life principle is in Lk 10:5-8 (cp Lk 10:5-8). This teaches that Christian field workers should stay where they are favourably received and be prepared to live simply and gratefully. They should not go looking for more luxury accommodation, otherwise it will distract from the gospel message. As workers of the word they are entitled to be fed by those to whom they minister the word (cp 1Cor 9:7-11; 1Ti 5:18).
The seventh life principle is found in Lk 10:9, "… and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, the kingdom of God has come nigh unto you". Christ has empowered Christians to heal the sick and it is incumbent upon us to do so by virtue of this command (cp Mk 16:15-18). Healing is a sign that the kingdom of God is near.
Signs are the evidence to a lost world that Jesus is alive; He confirms the ministries of all who do the work of God with signs following (cp Mk 16:20; Ac 5:12). Signs are a demonstration of the spirit and of power that awaken unbelievers to a consciousness of the presence and power of God, which raises their faith in Jesus, and they get saved (cp Ac 3:1 - 4:4; 5:12-14). See also comments on Mk 16:17-18, Jn 14:12-14, Ac 3:1-16, 4:4.
In conclusion, Jesus rounds off His instructions to the disciples in Lk 10 with a dire warning in Lk 10:10-12 to any city or town which rejects the gospel. Jesus warns them that there will come a time when the gospel will no longer be available to them, and they will be judged more severely than Sodom in the Old Testament. This of course also applies to individuals who reject the gospel. Once the church is taken to heaven they will have no further chance to repent (cp Lk 10:10-12 with 2Th 2:10-12). See also comments on 2Th 2:9-12.