Luke 10: 1-24

 Jesus chooses 70 men to send out ahead of Him. As they go two by two, they are instructed on how to go:

Pray - for the harvest ( v2)
Take no other resources ( v4)
Enter with peace ( v5)
Stay in one place (v7)
Eat whatever is set before you ( v8)
Heal the sick (v9)
And preach the nearness of God's kingdom ( v9)

The city that received the gospel would keep the peace they were greeted with.
But, the city that would not receive it would be cursed.  God will judge according to His measurements - "The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me." (v16)

Rejection of God's servants is rejection of Him.  Judgement is certain for the home and the city that refuses to listen to the Truth.  This is true of nations also.  May God help our nation to turn back to Him!

As the 70 return, rejoicing at what God did through them, Jesus cautions them to "not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven." 

Jesus rejoiced to see "Satan fall from heaven like lightning".  
He rejoiced that the Father chose "babes' instead of the "wise and intelligent" to reveal these things to.
He rejoiced that His disciples got to see things that prophets had longed to see.

Jesus makes and interesting statement..
" All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."  


The relationship between the Father and the Son was a great hidden mystery until Jesus came to earth, sent by the Father to bring the Kingdom of God near. As we think back through biblical history, there were only a few times that God intervened so powerfully and directly in earthly events - at the flood, at the calling of Abraham, at the Exodus, and at the time of David becoming king of Israel. When Jesus came to earth as a baby boy, grew up, ministered, healed, delivered, and taught the Truth about God's Kingdom - it was the greatest intervention, the most momentous historical event that had ever happened.  Yet, there will be one more time.. when Christ returns.. that will be greater still.

Father in heaven, Your Kingdom come!
Amen.