Seventh Sunday in Pentecost (Series C)
July 3rd, 2016
Gospel: Luke 10:1-20
Epistle: Galatians 6:1-10, 14-18
Lesson: Isaiah 66:10-14
Psalm: Psalm 66:1-7
CLB Commentary – Dr. Eugene Boe
This passage belongs to the context of the narration of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem which is given special prominence in Luke (Luke 9:51). Immediately prior to our text, Jesus teaches what it means to follow him (9:57-62).
The journey to Jerusalem, which will culminate in the Lord’s accomplishment of salvation through His suffering, death, and resurrection, is accompanied by the Lord’s mission; His kingdom, i.e., salvation is coming. To carry out His mission He appoints and sends. Jesus promises that there will be a harvest. There will be those who will come to believe through their preaching of the gospel. In fact, he promises that the harvest will be plentiful. It will be so abundant that more workers are needed.
However, the mission is not without conflict. They are sent as lambs among wolves. Going out as lambs conveys their vulnerability and weakness. They go dependent upon the promises of the one who has sent them. They go in the authority with which He has sent them. Jesus said, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you (10:19).”
God’s kingdom comes near to those who now hear the preaching and healing of the disciples. That the kingdom has come near means that it comes to them through the ones sent by Jesus. It comes to people where they are; and regardless of who they are. The one who hears them hears Jesus (10:16). In the speaking of “Peace be to this house,” the objective gift of peace with God is given and rests upon the one who receives it (10:5).
There will be those who will reject. On them rests judgment. For in rejecting the sent ones, they have rejected the Lord and the One who has sent Him (10:16).
In their excitement of reporting the great successes of the mission, Jesus directed their attention to something still more significant. Their own name is written in heaven; this is the greatest of all. So long as one rejoices over growth and success in the work for God, there is danger that oneself and one’s activity takes all of the attention. But it should not be. Jesus would rather have them look upwards! Think on Jesus who has written their name in the book of life. They can live by faith in Jesus and think how great it is to belong to him. The little that is accomplished will soon be forgotten, but life with God in heaven, that is eternal.