After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few . . .” Luke 10:1-2a
This enterprise isn’t just for a hand-picked inner circle. Excitement is spreading through the ranks—he’s chosen a whole division to send out! Seventy-two, to be exact (though some manuscripts give the number as seventy, like the seventy elders chosen by Moses).
Who are these ambassadors? Young and unmarried, or older, with grown children? They are not even specified as men—could women have been among them? Not likely, but interesting to consider. Their mission is more specific than that given to the twelve: they are to go to the towns where Jesus himself is headed on his way to Jerusalem, as a kind of advance team: scout the places that will receive him, cross off the places that won’t, heal the sick, and announce the coming kingdom–which they can say, with authority, is near. Coming to your town!
They are so eager, pressing in to hear the instructions, exchanging glances with their journey-partners, clutching their travel bags (Oops! He just said not to take a bag—where can I ditch this?). Oh, the stories they’ll tell, the wonders they’ll do! Don’t you love being the bearer of news, whether good or not so good? This is that, in spades. This is news of the epoch, the fulfillment of the ages, and we are in on it.
Suddenly his voice turns stark and sends a chill down their backs:
“Woe to you Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! And you, Capernaum–”
What’s he saying? Those are towns that have seen his work—in fact Capernaum is where it all began. Bethsaida is where he set out to walk across the water, and where, on a hillside a few hours’ walk from its walls, he fed the 5000. Have these smug little Galilean towns grown blasé about it all, too casual perhaps, as though Jesus were their hometown boy who’s gotten a little above himself? If you listen carefully, his claims do sound rather extravagant: “Whoever rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” Meaning the Blessed One who is over all now and forever, amen. That seems to put Jesus on overly familiar terms with God Himself, but then, God doesn’t seem to object. So put that aside. With anticipation, with eagerness, with that thrill that is equal parts fear—
Here we go!
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The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven . . .” Luke 10:17-18
The troops return after their short-term mission trip, all bubbly with excitement. You could say they were successful; in fact, they’re jumpy as kids: Master, you won’t believe– Wait’ll you hear– And then we said– And the demon was like– and the people all– And all we had to do was drop your name . . . Like, wow!
He’s got to be smiling. Not at the news, because it’s not news to him. Of course the demons submitted to you. Of course they recognized my name. Satan and I go way back: I saw him fall from heaven, as sudden and bright as a lightning flash. He was doomed ages ago; don’t be afraid of him or his minions. They are like snakes and scorpions to trample underfoot (says the One who will soon be bruised on the head).
But that’s not the most important thing. That’s not what matters most. Don’t get a big head over ordering screaming demons around, because the only reason you can do that is because there’s a book in heaven that includes your names. My father has claimed you; you belong to Him, and any power he gives you is for his glory, not yours.
And that is reason enough for rejoicing—it’s the best. Throwing back his head and spreading his arms wide, he laughs. They are startled; he laughs even louder.
“This is so like you, King over all—to bypass the learned and the self-important, the posers and the dominators, and share your power with peasants. It’s like the prophets predicted, like my mother and old Simeon saw: sending away the rich, welcoming the poor, turning nobodies into somebodies, upsetting the apple art—it’s so like you! You’ve hidden your salvation from kings and shown it to shepherds on a hillside; withheld your Spirit from the learned and poured it out on the great unwashed. So it pleases you, Father, and so it pleases me.”
Turning to his disciples, who may have looked a little stunned at this outburst, he smiles again: a gentle, companionable, welcoming smile. “Do you know, have you any idea, how the prophets—Isaiah, Jonah, Elijah himself—longed to see this day? Open your eyes and ears: it’s here.”
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For the original post in this series, go here.
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