The Sending Out Of 70 Disciples

The Sending Out Of 70 Disciples

4th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Readings:
Isaiah 66:1-16
Galatians 6:14-18
Luke 10:1-2, 16-20

In today’s Gospel, Christ talks about the 70 disciples He is sending out by twos to go and share the Word. This is telling us we have the responsibility to let others know about God’s greatness so that they too can share in the blessings. Why did Christ choose 70? He was following a pattern. 70 elders walked with Moses. There were 70 members of the Sanhedrin. Jesus said to them; “The harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few.”

Jesus came to Earth in humility, gentleness and love not in power and might with a big army. He sends out these 70 to be “lambs among wolves, with gentleness and with love.” There’s something about gentleness and the power of love that causes the wolf to be intimidated. This is totally contrary to man’s thinking. We think that by being strong and loud, we are powerful and therefore are the winners. But peace comes from gentleness. He also sends them out without provisions. What it meant here was that there should be no encumbrance or anything that would get in the way to take away our ability to focus on God. He was very distinct in telling them to go into the villages to minister to the people. In those days, it was the tradition for the villagers to let visitors stay in their homes. If the 70 would show their humility and gentleness, this opens the door for their ministry. However, if the people would reject them, then they are to leave the place and leave the dust off their feet.

When the 70 returned, they were rejoicing, because they did what Jesus told them to do. They said “even demons submitted to them.” Jesus said, “I saw Satan fall from the heavens like lightning.” The simplicity of their ministry was so strong that Satan fell and thus lost his power. “I will give you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions,” Jesus said. In the beginning, God already gave power to man to rule and reign. Jesus in the garden told the serpent, “his head will be crushed.” Matthew 10:1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. Luke 10:19 “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Mark 6:7 Calling the Twelve to him, He began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.

In our weakness, there is God’s strength. God is preparing us for His coming. We are conduits to touch other people’s lives. He blessed man to fill the earth and subdue it. We have the power to subdue the earth, be lambs among the wolves. He has anointed us with power to do this. We should be thankful that our names have been written in the Book of Life. By conquering hell, death and the grave for us, He gave us the power to overcome these things. The power of God is far greater than the power of the enemy. Our hope and strength should be in Him. We need to hold on to these truths. Our work is to be witnesses of God’s glory. We can survive through all these situations. We are here for a purpose and that is to prepare the way for His Kingdom. Are we living the life that is pleasing to Him?

We live in a society that teaches us to just take care of ourselves. This does not mean having things are wrong. But they should not consume us. We should have the faith and confidence that God will give us the ability. The 70 walked the way of Christ, without fanfare but by simply obeying what they were told to do. By doing so, they had the power. We are to bring hope to mankind. God has given us so much to live out the life during Ordinary Time.

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