Sending out the 70 - are you one of them? - Joey Ferrell
In Luke chapter 10, Jesus describes what we might find as one of the most impressive evangelism efforts of that day outside of Jesus’ teachings Himself. You will remember that He selected 70 (some translations may note 72) and sent them out “two by two.” This provides for some very interesting narrative that comes next, as well as some unique thoughts that we should also carry on with in our own evangelistic efforts.
It is interesting to note that these workers were sent out not alone, but with one another. It is also interesting to note that as they went out, they felt that they needed to take all of their tools, baggage, and funds with them. Jesus tells them NO. He says that they will have what is needed on their journey and in their efforts. Now, that does not mean that these folks went out “unprepared.” Jesus told them ways in which they would be taken care of and how to remedy their needs if they weren’t met. (c.f. “leave and shake the dust off your feet” paraphrase my own).
One of the most important things that we can read in this passage is the imperative that Jesus gives as well. He says “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” PRAY for the harvest.” We certainly need to remember these things when we approach any evangelistic effort whatsoever. We need to arm ourselves with the truth, be ready to answer (1 Peter 3:15), prepare physically and spiritually, and GO (Matthew 28:18-20).
Go does not always mean to travel across the world. These 70 went out to the local areas in which Jesus was going to be entering. They were working to continue preparing the way for the Master Teacher to teach, heal, nurture, and give salvation to the sin-stricken world ahead. Go means to use what resources you have (as seen in this passage), not trying to reinvent the wheel, and work toward the harvest. One would not enter a garden expecting a harvest without first preparing the soil, planting the seed, keeping the weeds from the nourishment of the soil and certainly one would NOT leave the fruits of their labor just hanging on a plant or a tree to spoil and rot.
Back to our text…many of us who want to take on the imperative command of evangelism to seek out the harvest will sometimes be a bit zealous and presumptuous. We may feel like we are the ONLY ones at times trying to accomplish this work. I truly believe that is why Jesus explained to the 70 that they need to go out with one another. This type of combined effort will support the emotional strain, sometimes the physical or social limitations, and certainly the strengthening of attitude in finding those to reach. Working solo is HARD! Jesus knew that and gave the perfect opportunity of easing that difficulty.
Jesus told the 70 that there would be tough days. There would be good days. There would be days they would want to pack up and go home! But keep reading. When the 70 return, they are so excited…rejoicing in the efforts, sort of “bragging” about how they were able to do things that others could not in a miraculous gift…but watch the attitude of Jesus, and see what He says…
(In paraphrase) “Yes, I know what you could do…yes I saw the demons being cast down…yes, I knew you would be able to accomplish….NEVERTHELESS, rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
We need to make sure that we understand our roles in evangelism. Not every person can go to a foreign country on a medical mission, not every person can stand in a pulpit and preach the word of God, not every person has the financial or physical ability to even go to the next town…but we have so many opportunities when we think about “going two by two” working with one another as the laborers of the harvest. Paul said “I planted, Apollos watered, but it is GOD who gives the increase.” (1 Cor 3:6-7)
Are you doing what you can do in our own “limited commission?” Jesus did not tell us that we each one have to save the entire world, but, He did say that we need to….keep reading….”love our neighbor as ourselves.” Loving our neighbor requires loving ourselves. There are many who may not realize that if you do not do what is the absolute best for your soul in what our God and Father has given us through His unique plan of salvation and scheme of redemption….we do NOT love ourselves…and we certainly cannot love our neighbors if we do not love ourselves.
May the God of heaven bless you with opportunity to go out “two by two” and to realize the chilling statement that was made that “your names are written in heaven.”
From the field…
It has been a very busy month for the field rep team as well as in the offices. We have added new stations, and unfortunately had to cancel some local markets due to lack of feedback and support in those areas. We will announce some new channels very soon.
One note of interest and sadness is that at the end of August, a very long time television program is going off air in 4 markets. Fabric of Family has been on air in Jackson, TN, Tri-cities, TN, Chattanooga, TN and Huntsville, AL for many years. Through speaking with Barry Gilreath and our media brokers, we are blessed to be able to fill two of those spots being left empty in Jackson and Tri-cities areas. We are also making a switch of channels in Huntsville to the better channel and time slot that Fabric of Family was airing.
We ask for your prayers in this effort as well as your prayers in thanksgiving for Barry and all the many others who have been working to spread truth through Fabric of Family for many years.
Several visits are coming up. We just finished up at the Connect Conference in Nashville, TN with over 1,000 attendees, and in just a few weeks we will be attending one of our absolutely favorite events that has finally been able to be scheduled again - Polishing the Pulpit in Sevierville, TN August 17-25. We will have a booth in the exhibits area. Please stop by and visit with us!
Until next time!!!
God bless,
Joey