Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

This Sunday, we read Luke 10:1-11, 16-20. As Jesus sets his sights on Jerusalem, he commissions additional disciples to preach, teach, and heal people. This alone ought to give us pause:

Why did Jesus train others to share his ministry when he had the power of the Holy Spirit, and could have done it all himself?

Jesus tells these new recruits that he is “sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves” (Luke 103). It is striking how often Christians focus on this, with a sense of being oppressed. What do Jesus’ words mean to you? Where and when has your discipleship put you at risk in the way that wolves (which kill and eat lambs) put lambs at risk?

Jesus concludes the training event by declaring unequivocally, “rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). This sounds like certainty! Do you feel the power of this statement as applied to you?