The nameless 72

Many of us are familiar with the Disciples, the Gospels and with the Apostles like Paul and Timothy.We focus intently on the stories of Peter, John and Matthew, but rarely do we take time out to discuss the nameless faithful who followed Christ as well.

Truth be told most of us won't have ministries as far reaching as Paul or as famous as Peter, but we are more like the 72 Jesus sent out, we are the nameless faithful. This is who the early church was, it was not about titles, positions, committees or appointments. Rather the early church was about the ministry of witness and testimony. They were the few labourers who were willing to go and work.

Today I encourage you to seek to define yourselves as one of the 72. Look intently at your ministry situation in comparison to the text and seek ways to be encouraged, empowered or re-energized. This week we will focus on discipleship in different ministry ways, which is why we start off today with the ministry of the unknown 72.

Lets look to the text.

Luke 10:1-12

The Mission of the Seventy

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. ²He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. ³Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. ⁴Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. ⁵Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” ⁶And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. ⁷Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. ⁸Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; ⁹cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you." ¹⁰But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ¹¹“Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near." ¹²I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.
Until next time, Be Well
Love Pastor J