The Sending Out Of The 70 Disciples

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

July 08, 2025

in Spritual Growth

No Comments

422

June 29, 2025
Readings: Isaiah 66: 10-16
Galatians 6:14-18
Luke 10:1-12, 16-20
4th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2025 Homily – Abp. Hines

Often when we read scriptures, we equate them to stories or historical events that took place a long time ago and so we regard them as information and reports. Jesus gave His 12 apostles the authority over unclean spirits to cast them out, and to heal every disease. Christ was working with real people so He could send them out into the world to spread the good news. They were tasked to go from house to house, preach about the Kingdom and given instructions not to bring any extra personal belongings. They were to accept whatever was offered to them- where to sleep, what to eat. They were to accept whatever was given to them.

He also sent out 70 disciples and they were to travel in twos. They were to prepare the way for Jesus to visit these towns and villages. They were to do the same tasks as the twelve apostles. Why two by two? So that one could strengthen the other. But their message was simple- the most important thing needed is the souls of the people. While the laborers are few, and even the twelve apostles and seventy disciples are not enough to spread the gospel to the whole world, Christ was sharing to us that each believer has a task to do to spread the good news. Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me! God brings His commission to us, “Go ye into the world.” He did not say, let the people come to you. So we should go to the people. God has given us the authority. We are like lambs among wolves. Our goal is our relationship with Christ. How we respond to things and circumstances is how people will understand us. We should focus on the Kingdom and show what our intentions are. Psalm 140:12 I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.

He has established and given us authority over evil spirits, over sickness and diseases. God will not put us to shame. We may not fully understand everything, but the Holy Spirit will teach us all things. A promise from God is that we would be able to tread upon serpents and scorpions meaning, we would be able to conquer demonic forces. And when we triumph, we should not rejoice in the fact that evil spirits are subject to us but rather rejoice that our names are written in heaven.

And what good is it that we receive all the good things from Christ and not share these to the people? We need to have concern for others. See value in the lives of other human beings. Their lives are so valuable that they need to be redeemed and restored. God not only gave us peace and joy. He gave us eternity.