A Mission Trip (Luke 10)

What is God’s judgment on places where Christians are not welcomed? What should be our chief joy? Who is our neighbor? Is listening to Jesus a priority for us? Let’s look at Luke 10.

How many were “sent” or “apostled” (in Greek) on a mission trip?

The Lord now chose seventy-two [CEB, CEV, ESV, NASB, NIV, NLT or seventy HCSB, ISV, KJV, LSB, NKJV, WEB] other disciples and sent [apostled] them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.” (Luke 10:1-4 NLT)

What were they to do to find out if they and their message were welcome?

Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Don’t go from house to house. Into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you. Heal the sick who are there, and tell them, ‘God’s Kingdom has come near to you.’ (Luke 10:5-9 WEB)

What were they to do if they found that they were not welcome?

Whenever you enter a city and the people don’t welcome you, go out into the streets and say, ‘As a complaint against you, we brush off the dust of your city that has collected on our feet. But know this: God’s kingdom has come to you.’ I assure you that Sodom will be better off on Judgment Day than that city. (Luke 10:10-12 CEB)

What was God’s judgment on cities where they were not welcomed?

You people of Chorazin are in for trouble! You people of Bethsaida are also in for trouble! If the miracles that took place in your towns had happened in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have turned to God long ago. They would have dressed in sackcloth and put ashes on their heads. On the day of judgment the people of Tyre and Sidon will get off easier than you will. People of Capernaum, do you think you will be honored in heaven? Well, you will go down to hell! My followers, whoever listens to you is listening to me. Anyone who says “No” to you is saying “No” to me. And anyone who says “No” to me is really saying “No” to the one who sent me. (Luke 10:13-16 CEV)

What did the missionaries report upon their return? What should be our chief joy?

The seventy-two [or seventy] 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. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:17-20 ESV)

What was Jesus' joyful prayer? What secret did He share with His disciples?

In that same hour He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, because this was Your good pleasure. All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal Him.” Then turning to His disciples He said privately, “The eyes that see the things you see are blessed! For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see the things you see yet didn’t see them; to hear the things you hear yet didn’t hear them.” (Luke 10:21-24 HCSB)

Of 613 commandments in the law, which is the most important?

Just then an expert in the Law stood up to test Jesus. He asked, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “What is written in the Law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And you must love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus told him, “You have answered correctly. ‘Do this, and you will live.’” But the man wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:25-29 ISV)