TO 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.’”
As the new semester approaches, the campuses come alive as students return. Since it is the start of new school year, many freshmen students will fill the campuses. How should we prepare ourselves for the coming fall semester? In today’s passage, Jesus sends out seventy-two other disciples to the harvest fields to proclaim the kingdom of God. Jesus views the world as the God’s harvest field and the disciples as the harvest workers, the ambassadors of God through whom the gospel will be preached to every tribe, language, people and nations. Jesus has this great vision to evangelize the whole world. With this vision, Jesus called, trained, and sent his disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Through this passage, let’s learn Jesus’ heart desire to send out his workers into God’s harvest field. May God bless each of us to become harvest workers in our mission fields and proclaim the message of the kingdom of God and invite student to 1:1 Bible Study.
I. The Kingdom Of God Has Come Near To You (1-16)
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.” In previous passage, Jesus had made a firm decision of faith to obey the will of God, so he set out for Jerusalem to die for the sin of the world. On his way, Jesus encountered three disciple candidates and taught them
the cost of following him. Anyone who wants to be Jesus’ disciple must follow him by denying all his desires of the world and seeking him with an undivided heart as the first priority. We are not sure if they followed Jesus or not.
According to verse 1, there were still many who continued to follow Jesus. Among them, Jesus appointed seventy-two others and sent them out two by two to towns and places where he was about to go. Here, 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!” Obviously two is better than one. In typewriting, two hands produce a far better return than one hand. Running with two feet is faster than running with one foot. But, for two different people to work together is not always easy. Then, how can two different people with different personalities work together? We can understand this when we think about how two hands, two eyes or two feet work together. Our two eyes, two hands, or two feet work together for one sing master, that is, our body. They do not server their won purpose. Neither of them have their own agenda. Likewise, two persons can work together when each of them die to self-glory seeking and have the same purpose to reveal the glory of God alone and to serve one master, that is, Jesus Christ. When two persons form a spiritual vessel of prayer with a Christ-centered mindset, they can experience Jesus’ presence and help. (Mt18:19-20) May God bless our 2 by 2 campus fishing to invite 120 new Bible Students.
What did Jesus tell them before sending them out? Look at verse 2-3. “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.’” Here we can understand why Jesus sent the disciples out, despite their lack of training or preparations, like lambs or little children. Jesus viewed the world as God’s harvest field and the harvest was plentiful. If a farmer missed the harvest season, all his harvests will be ruined. All the crops, whether they fall to the ground or freeze in cold weather, end up spoiled and rotten. Since it is so argent, Jesus sent the disciples.
In Galilee, Jesus had been ignored, rejected, and despised even, though he had performed numerous miracles and taught the word of God. Many religious leaders not only rejected him, but also accused him and wanted to kill him even. Still, Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful.” How do we see the campus? Since I have been rejected many times, I thought that there is no
harvest; it is hopeless. However, Jesus saw and said, “The harvest is plentiful.” Jesus saw the people from God’s point of view. Although many rejections would follow, there would be a harvest, spiritual awakening, through proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Spiritual revival could begin by one sinner’s repentance, as seen in the example of the Samaritan woman.
In spiritual reality, people/students are suffering from their sins and want to hear the good news of forgiveness; people/students who suffer from emptiness and meaninglessness under the power of death want to find a real purpose for life; people/students who feel weary and tired seek true rest and peace. Where can they find such wonderful things? It is only in the gospel of Jesus. All people, especially young campus students, are desperately in need of Jesus. Rutgers Campus is ripe for harvest. Jesus saw the great harvest of Samaritan towns when he saw the change of one Samaritan woman. In John 4:35, Jesus said, “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest! I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” How do we see the campus? Let us listen to Jesus’ word –
“The harvest is plentiful.” Let us pray to open our eyes to see Rutgers as God’s harvest field. Many souls will perish without hearing his message of the kingdom of God when we fail to preach the message. Indeed, the works are few. Our 6 Dream Team members have to shepherd 60,000 students in Rutgers. Let us ask God to raise and send workers in our mission field.
Look at verse 3. “Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” Jesus commanded the disciples, “Go!” How did Jesus feel when he sent them out? He said, “I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” Lambs are vulnerable among wolves. Here, Jesus demonstrates his fervent desire to save all sinners, unwilling to lose even a single one. So, though the disciples are as vulnerable as lambs before wolves, Jesus commanded them, “Go.” But, look at verses 19. Jesus send them out, giving them his authority to overcome all the power of the enemy, so that nothing could harm them. When Jesus tell us “Go!”, we should go with His compassionate heart for one lost sheep, trusting in him. Many of us may think that “I am not ready like the lamb or a little children.” When we obey his command and go by depending on him only, Jesus will be with us to the end of age; he will protect us, and even provides us what to say through the Holy Spirit. When we go out campus in obedience to his command, we are actually going out with the authority of Jesus. By Trusting Jesus’ authority, we may boldly proclaim the kingdom of God.
In verses 4-12, Jesus gave his disciples spiritual principles to guide them in carrying out their mission. By following these principles, the disciples could have successful mission journey. Look at verse 4. “Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.” First of all, the disciples should not depend on material things, but God alone. They should focus on the mission, rather than hanging out pointlessly. Some may worry about their lack of their English skill; others may worry about their lack of Bible knowledge; others may worry about their hair-style or fashion. It is because they do not depend on God alone. Depending God who create languages, who is full of wisdom; who is full of power, we can overcome all worries and fears and boldly preach the kingdom of God. Otherwise,
we will hang around here and there, enjoying two by two fellowships. All we need is Faith in God Almighty.
Look at verses 5-6. “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.” Here “peace” is different than the peace the politicians talk about. This peace comes from the right relationship with God. Jesus has grant this peace to the disciples and they are sent to impart
this peace. If anyone welcomes the disciples into their homes, they would receive God’s blessing of peace. If not, the blessing would return to the disciples.
Look at verses 7-8. Wherever they were welcomed, they should stay – not moving around here and there, accepting what is provided for them. They should have clear identity as God’s servant, not as baggers, who deserves his wages. So, they should joyfully eat whatever was set before them. Here fundamental principle is the same; Though we need practical supports, we must depend on God always in all circumstances for it is God who provides, protects, and guide.
What is their main mission? Look at verse 9. “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’” Since Jesus gave them his authority and power, they could heal the sick by depending on his authority and power. “Heal the sick” can simply mean “serve the weak practically.” Jesus gives the disciples authority and power to serve the weak in many different ways. When we have Jesus’ compassionate heart, we can serve the hunger with delicious food; we can serve the lonely by inviting them to Bible study; we can serve the poor with our offering. In many ways, we can serve the weak practically by sharing the grace and love we have received from Jesus. But the best way to help the weak is to proclaiming the good news. “The Kingdom of God has come near to you!”
Here the kingdom means the king’s rule. So, the kingdom of God is where God, the Lord, rules with his righteousness, justice, mercy and love. Since sin came into the world, mankind were under the rule of sin and death; all we were slaves of sins in the kingdom of the devil. But, Jesus came to set us free from the power of sin and gave us the kingdom of God. This kingdom of God comes to whoever repents of their sins and believes Jesus’ death and resurrection. The kingdom of God comes in our hearts when we let Jesus come and rule in our lives as the Lord. In the kingdom of God, sin has not mastery over us any more for Jesus is our king. In this kingdom, Jesus rules with his righteousness, mercy, and love and we serve him and obey him. The kingdom of God gives us true joy and peace and the love of God even while we live on earth. But that’s not all. The kingdom of God us a living hope. Dr. Billy Graham said, “Man cannot live without hope.” But hope in this world does not last long because it is rooted in things that perish. The things of the world cannot give us living hope. Only the kingdom of God gives us a living hope. 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. That’s reason why Jesus instructed his disciples to proclaim the message of the kingdom of God. Proclaiming the kingdom of God should be our number one priority in our mission life. We have such urgency to proclaim the message of the kingdom of God so that one more sinner may be saved into the eternal kingdom of God. Are you ready to receive the king and his rule in your life? Are you ready to proclaiming the kingdom of God?
What happens when rejection occurs? What should we do when students reject our invitation on campus? Should we declare God’s judgment on them or call fire upon them? How should the disciples deal with rejections? Look at verses 10-11. “But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.” They should denounce rejection by shaking the dust from their feet, and also they should proclaim the message of the kingdom of God. “The kingdom of God has come near!” The message is the same. But according to the respond, the consequences are quite different. Those who welcomed this message would receive God’s salvation and the living hope in the kingdom of God.
What about those who reject? Those who reject the gospel would be condemned. Look at verses 12-16. Jesus began to give warnings to those who reject the kingdom of God. We think God’s judgment towards Sodom was terrible. But At the time of God’s judgment, Sodom would be better than that town which rejected the kingdom of God. Look at verses 13-15. Jesus declares woes on the unrepentant cities. Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were the cities in which Jesus spent most of his time during his Galilean ministry, but they did not repent of their sins. If Jesus had performed the same miracles in Tyre and Sidon, two cities would have repented and worn sackcloth and ashes long time ago. This tells us the danger of unrepentant heart. Without repentance and faith in Jesus, no one can enter the kingdom of God. Instead,
they would be put into eternal punishment. Look at verse 15. “And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.” Capernaum was the headquarter of Jesus’ Galilean ministry. They saw most of Jesus’ miracles and were privileged to have Jesus among them.
Still as long as they did not repent of their sins due to whatever reasons, their fate is no better than other cities. We are privileged to hear Jesus’ message each Sunday; We had wonderful GLEF and ISBC 2023; we study the bible, share testimony, and even teach the Bible. Still we will face God’s judgment, if we do not repent of our sins and believe in Jesus.
Look at verse 16. “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but he whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” The disciples should not be discouraged when they are rejected. It is because If someone rejects them, they are not rejecting them but Jesus. In the end they reject God. When rejected, we should not take it personally. Rather, we should keep sharing the message of the kingdom of God. “The kingdom of God is near.”
II. REJOICE THAT YOUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN (17-24).
Look at verse 17. “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’” They returned with joy and had wonderful mission report conference with Jesus. One disciple came forward and said, “Jesus, I drove out drug-demon from a teenager.” “Jesus, I drove out web-surfing demon from a young man.” “Jesus, I drove out hatred demon
from a girl.” They were excited for the great and successful mission journey. Though the seventy-two had been like lambs among wolves, they experienced the great power of Jesus as they followed Jesus’ instructions. Jesus was also happy. Jesus enjoyed the spiritual victory over Satan.(18,19)
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 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 like the weather. Then, what should be our source of real joy? “rejoice that your names are written in Heaven.” Our source of joy should not in our success of the ministry, but in our personal relationship with God. Through Jesus, we receive the grace of forgiveness of sins. Through Jesus, we are able to come into the presence of God and serve the living God without fear. God writes our names in the book of life in heaven. We can always rejoice for our names are written in heaven. Then, we can rejoice in all circumstances.
Look at verse 21. “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.’” Jesus was about to face the imminent event of his betrayal, suffering and crucifixion. But Jesus had great joy in his heart through the Holy Spirit for the mighty work of God in his disciples. Though they were not well educated or great in the world, God fully revealed himself to the disciples. It is God’s grace and love. Look at verse 22. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” More than
anything else, he was glad that the Father trusted him and he revealed himself to the disciples whom he choose.
In verses 23-24, Jesus wanted his disciples to know how blessed they were. “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.’” Jesus wanted them to see themselves in view of God’s history and realize how blessed they were. True blessing is not one’s possessions or achievement, but to have spiritual eyes to see Jesus and spiritual ears to hear his words and spiritual understanding to accept Jesus, the Lord. When we know Jesus, we are truly blessed for we come to know God personally and come to have salvation, come to have the living hope in the kingdom of God. When we have Jesus in our heart, we are truly blessed.
In this passage we learned Jesus’ compassionate shepherd’s heart for all people. Jesus sent out seventy-two other disciple (us) to proclaim the kingdom of God. We may see the world through the eyes of Jesus. God may open our eyes to see the campus, the harvest field. Let’s pray that we may proclaim the message of the kingdom of God – “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” Let us ask the Lord to send out workers in this harvest field.