Introduction
Jesus leaves the Feast of Dedication and travels to the other side of the Jordan River, where John had baptized him three years earlier (John 10:40). Jesus will use this as a base for the next few months, awaiting His final entrance into Jerusalem and His pending death on the cross. What will He do in these last several months to ensure that the movement continues after He is taken up to His Father? What will His final steps be? Let’s look at what this passage says.
Reading [You can read as much as you can, depending on your availability]
Luke 10:1-42
Meditating [Use these questions to start your thinking]
- What are Jesus’ priorities in this passage?
- In what ways could Jesus have been distracted from these priorities (like Martha in v. 40)?
- Why does Jesus so greatly rejoice in Luke 10:21?
- What do you see as the primary lessons in this passage?
- What other questions do you still have?
Sharing: Text ONE of your answers to the questions above to your team. Each team should post a sharing from a team member in the comments below.
As the movement continues to grow, Jesus assembles the next set of leaders and appoints them in much the same way as He had with the twelve. They were obviously disciples who had given up everything to follow Him, and were now ready to be part of the growing leadership team. He calls them together, gives them some final instructions, and sends them on their way ahead of Him into the last district to be reached — Perea. Why does Jesus send them out with nothing?
Remember what we learned as to why He sent the first twelve out with nothing? Jesus knows His time is short and He wants them to learn to be dependent on the Father. He wants them to see that if they will only step out in faith, God will go before them and provide everything they need to complete the mission He has called them to. He wants these new leaders to learn to walk by faith and not by sight.
They move out as a great army of evangelists into the harvest fields of Perea. They are to go to the village, find the man of peace, stay and minister out of that house, healing the sick and telling them about the coming kingdom of God. If the village doesn’t receive them, leave peaceably and shake the dust off their feet, and continue to proclaim that “‘the kingdom of God is near’” (Luke 10:11).
They return from their mission trip jumping up and down, saying, “‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name’” (Luke 10:17). At this, Jesus seizes an opportunity to say, “‘… do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven’” (Luke 10:20). In other words, don’t get excited about the demons obeying you; instead, get excited about the fact that your names are written in the Book of Life along with the new people who have entered the Kingdom due to the work of God. Don’t get more excited about the temporal than about the spiritual. Lives and destinies were changed on your trip — rejoice in that.
Jesus then breaks into spontaneous praise to His Father, and with great joy in His heart, He begins to worship the Father, “‘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 was your good pleasure’” (Luke 10:21). Jesus is so excited! But why? Why is Jesus so overjoyed at this point? What causes Jesus to rejoice so greatly? I think the key is that He knows that God has been well pleased with His work. The plan is working and the disciples have been made into men with passion and heart to tell others the good news. The will of the Father was that Jesus would die on the cross, but the work of the Father was that Jesus would make disciples, who could make disciples, who could make disciples. Jesus sees that the way of the Father will bring glory to Him. This was Jesus’ passion, that the Father would be glorified. And it was happening in front of His very eyes. His work was coming to a close and this work of making disciples who could make disciples was going to change the planet.
There is a joy that comes when you personally watch someone you have shared with come to Christ. It is incredible to watch the transformation with your own eyes. Yet, there is a joy that is deeper, the joy of watching someone you have poured your life into, share Jesus with someone and seeing that person come to Christ. It is the joy of multiplication. Now there are two of you who are glorifying the Father, living in obedience to His will, dying to self and doing His work of making disciples. Have you experienced these two joys? If not, what is stopping you? Spend some time with your mentees talking about the joy of multiplication.
“Why does Jesus so greatly rejoice in Luke 10:21?”
I think Jesus rejoices so greatly because the work that He has been carrying out has been making so much progress. There becomes a greater need for Christ & people around are starting to become more aware & follow God. Jesus’ disciples are multiplying and He gives thanks to the Lord because He knows that this accomplishment comes from Him.
What are Jesus’ priorities in this passage?
Jesus’ priorities appear to be to continue building out the network of disciples that he has been establishing. Sending out the 72, we see that Jesus has been successful in reproducing his ministry. One aspect that I noticed and liked a lot was that not only did he send out 72 but Jesus sent them to places that he was going to go himself. In a way, the 72 were like John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus when he would come into the towns that he had sent his disciples. That kind of follow up I think makes an impact on people in showing that you are genuine and that you care.
In today’s reading, we’re reminded of many important lessons. The first one being to share the gospel and pray for people, like Jesus sending out the 72. Secondly, we’re encouraged to praise God and continue to obey Him, similar to Jesus embracing God’s will. Third is the greatest commandment-to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind and love our neighbors as ourselves. And lastly, rather than being anxious and troubled about worries of this life spend time with God and be renewed in His word.