Luke 10

http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+10/

Jesus sent out seventy-two of His followers to nearby towns telling them that their is plenty to be harvested but few workers to harvest. There is an overwhelming number of people who do not know Christ and an unbelievable amount that have never even heard the name of Jesus. One of the reasons this continues is because the followers of Christ do not go forth proclaiming the name and wonders of Jesus. The seventy-two are to take nothing with them. Jesus gives them very specific instructions for when they go. He tells them to enter a town, and find a house to stay at. Once the enter, they should ask God for peace over the house, and if the people who live in the house accept peace, they will receive it from God, but if they reject it, the peace will go back to the giver. This principle goes back to both if you ask you shall receive and if you reject God, God will reject you. Jesus instructs them to take what is given to them as their wages but not to move from house to house. If the town accepts them, they should proclaim the gospel and heal the sick. If the town rejects them, they should declare that they are even shaking the dust of the town from their sandals as a warning because the Kingsom of God is coming. Jesus tells the people that these towns will be worse off than Sodom. These towns at least have a chance to repent and turn from their wicked ways. Jesus warns the towns that have seen miracles and still reject God. With assuring words, Jesus tells the seventy-two whoever listens to them listens to Jesus. Whoever rejects them rejects Jesus and by extension, God. It's not about you when you proclaim the Good News. It's all about Jesus. If the people you talk to accept what you say, glory be to Jesus. Don't take the glory for yourself. The seventy-two return to Jesus overjoyed because even the demons submitted to the name of Jesus. With great authority, Jesus replies that He has seen Satan fall and given power to those who follow Him that nothing shall stand against them. Yet they should not boast that they can tame the enemy but that their names are written in heaven. Remember what you are here for and what the eventual goal is. Then Jesus, overcome by the Spirit prays. He says that He is glad the Father has revealed His truths to the children of faith. Yet the wise have not seen them. Those who thought they knew all about God did not seek the truths. It is the children eager to learn who sought the character of God. Only the Son truly knows the Father and vice versa. There are so many mysteries that people on Earth still do not know about. Jesus tells His disciples privately that many great prophets and kings had wished to see what the disciples see, so they should not take it for granted.

A man who knew the law well tested Jesus by asking Him what people need to do to receive eternal life. Jesus responded as He often does by asking another question. He asked the expert of the law how he reads it. The man replies that it says love The Lord with all your heart, mind, and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus tells the man that is correct. To clarify, the man asks Jesus who His neighbors are. Jesus responds with a parable, which is a fictional story used to serve a purpose. In this parable, a Jewish man is walking along the road where he is robbed and beaten. Three men pass along the road. The first is a priest. The priest does not help the man but walks by on the other side of the road. Then, a Levite, another religious figure, comes and reacts in the same way. Finally, a Samaritan, the enemy race of the Jews, stops, and, moved by compassion, goes to the man to rescue him. He takes the man to an inn and covers all of the expenses and says if the man costs more, he will come back and make up for them. Jesus asks the expert of the law who the neighbor to the beaten man was, and the expert correctly responds that the Samaritan was. Jesus tells all listening to go and do accordingly. The priest and the Levite weren't bad people. They were very good, religious people, but they got so caught up in their next religios activity that they missed out on an opportunity that God set before them. The Samaritan had compassion, and since compassion requires action, went to the man to help.

Jesus goes to stay with Mary and Martha. Martha busies herself with the preparations needed for a guest, especially when the gust is the Messaiah. Mary, meanwhile, sits at Jesus' feet and listens to Him. After a time, Martha, upset at her sister, complains to Jesus and asks that He command Mary to help. Jesus responds that Martha is worried over many things, but the only thing needed is Jesus. Mary has chosen the better thing. Sometimes we get so caught up in making things nice for Jesus, that we leave Him out. We busy ourselves fretting over what He thinks of us but miss what He says to us. Sometimes, we need to take a breath and sit at His feet.