Luke chapter 10 - The Good Samaritan

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Jesus added 70 more people to His team. Sending them out two by two.

There is always plenty of work to do. Laziness is not a Christian virtue.
LUKE 10:1   After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

:2   Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

:3   Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

:4   Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

:5   And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.

:7   And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

The disciples went out poor. Evangelism did not depend on money. They were not to do social visiting from house to house. They would preach and heal in some cities, and be rejected in other cities.

God would later harshly judge the cities that rejected the truth.

LUKE 10:17   And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

:18   And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Christians are always impressed with supernatural power.

Jesus reminds them that He kicked Satan out of Heaven at the beginning. Thus He has power over the Devil.

LUKE 10:19   Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

:20   Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Jesus grants His disciples of His power which is impressive. But our success is to be written in Heaven where it cannot be seen, not on earth amongst the things that we can see.

Remember that Judas also had this power, but it would not do him any good in the end when he chose to chase after money.

LUKE 10:21   In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Human cleverness will not reveal the mysteries of Scripture. Long years at University and Bible school will not explain truth. Each denomination has its own training centres that teach different doctrines compared to the other denominations. So which seminary has the real truth? Any of them?

God reveals His truth to the most unlikely people.

We must pray to have our eyes anointed with eye salve. Otherwise we will not see the real truth.

Luke explains two points of human behaviour:

Be ready to help anyone who really needs help, but remember that charitable works are not more important than hearing the Word of God.

Jesus told the parable of the good Samaritan who helped a robbed and injured man of a different race and then spent his own money to settle the medical costs.

This was a good neighbour because he regarded only one race -- the human race. All barriers of colour, creed, nationality, tribe  etc.  fade away when humans need help.

In a village were two sisters. One helped the disciples to eat, and the other listened to the Word of God.

Mary sat at Jesus feet and listened to His teachings.

Martha spent her time serving the disciples with food and washing up the plates and dishes. Then she complained that Mary was not helping with this physical work.

To us humans it seems that Martha was the better person, as she was very busy feeding the stomachs of other people. This is an important function. People cannot live if they do not eat.

But they will soon get hungry again. Jesus said it was actually even better to sit still and feed one's own soul on the Word of God. Then you will have Bible truth which you can impart to another. And Scriptural truth is for eternity. You may lose your food to a robber, but God's Word in your mind can never be taken away from you.

LUKE 10:41   And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

:42   But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.