The tenth chapter of Luke’s gospel is loaded with goodies, starting with the passage we will reflect on this week, which yields fresh insights each time we approach it. In reviewing Jesus’ instructions to his followers as he sends them out in mission, we can glean much about how we can go out in his name in our own places and times.
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
This sending follows a foray undertaken by the twelve, Jesus’ closest disciples. Judging from the elation both they and Jesus expressed upon their return, that was a successful endeavor. Now he’s scaling up the operation – seventy (or 72 in other versions) are being sent on mission. They are to go in pairs – no one walks alone in God’s realm – and they do not travel randomly. They are sent to each place Jesus intends to go. They go out as his “advance team" to size up a community, assess opportunities for proclaiming the Good News there, discern what obstacles they might encounter.
Advance teams arrive ahead of candidates to do that kind of reconnaissance, and to prepare the local populace for the candidate’s message. They set up communications, build a grassroots operation, generate anticipation and enthusiasm for the candidate’s arrival. The prepare the ground for planting, as it were, making everything ready for a successful campaign in that place.
What if we saw our missional activities in such a light? We can assume Jesus wants to arrive at every place, every person, every heart. So what communities or people are you being assigned to prepare? We do this advance work by telling people of our own experiences of love and freedom and healing through Christ. We invite people to consider him as he is revealed in the Gospels – and in our own lives, as we’re willing to tell our stories. If appropriate, we create grassroots energy by inviting people into small groups for bible study or prayer or spiritual conversation. Like John the Baptist, we make ready a people prepared for their God.
Who were the “advance teams” that came into your life inviting you into a deeper relationship with Christ? Who planted seeds in you that resulted in your coming to faith more fully and profoundly?
This wording reminds us that we don’t have to create the mission. God has already designed it, and will reveal to us more explicit instructions as we go. But we do need to go. Find a buddy and hit the road!
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