Luke 10:1-22
People used to walk long distances, lodging nights on the way. When Jesus was to make His last journey from Galilee to Jerusalem, He sent men ahead to tell the people on the way that He would soon come to them.
This was to be done promptly, so they were not to stop to “Salute”, or talk to friends by the way; they were not to carry supplies, because the people should receive them as God’s messengers, and they were to do the people great good, for the Lord gave them power to cure the sick and to cast out evil spirits.
Jesus knew all would not welcome them, and He told of cities which had already refused Him as Messiah. He spoke of Capernaum, where He had done the greatest miracles, cured the lepers, the sick, the lame and blind and raised the dead: He said the people had been “exalted to heaven”, in their pride, yet the city would be “thrust” from its high honor, because the people did not believe Him.
Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were later destroyed by armies which came through the land.
Perhaps if we had lived in those cities we would not have found the people more wicked than in cities now; the great sin was they did not want Jesus to be their Messiah or King.
Yet the Lord would have every one told of Him: He likened the people to a harvest field, needing workers, saying,
“The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He send forth laborers into His harvest.”
It is not easy to work the long hours in a harvest field, cutting or carrying grain, and the Lord knew it would not be easy to go to people with His words, for many would not believe, even though they were words of blessing.
All the world is now as a “harvest field” for men to labor to tell people of the Lord Jesus; not now as King, but as their Saviour. It is not easy, for there is still unbelief, but we can pray God to send the workers.
When the men whom Jesus had sent, returned, they were very happy because they had cast out wicked spirits by His name. But Jesus said not to rejoice for that, but “rather rejoice, bause your names are written in Heaven.”
What do you think that meant? Names are written that there be no mistake; so we know the Lord meant the men could be certain there was a place for them in Heaven. He did not say, would be written when they died, but He said, “are written.”
Those men believed in the Lord Jesus; can the same promise be for those now who believe Him? Yes, for He said,
“My sheep hear My voice (believe Him), and I give unto them eternal life”. John 10:27,28.
“The Lord knoweth them that are His.” 2 Timothy 2:19.
ML 05/13/1945