Q. What was the distinctive character of the missions of the “Twelve,” Luke 9, and of the “Seventy,” Luke 10?
A. The mission of the “Twelve” was, as sent out by the Lord the Messiah of Israel, before His ministerial rejection, which in the Synoptic Gospels (Matt., Mark., Luke) is seen before the “Transfiguration.” His final rejection was in His humiliation at the cross, and supplementally, in His glory, witnessed to by the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven (Acts 2-7). They were sent out to preach the kingdom of God, and were given power over all evil spirits, and to cure diseases — the samples of the “powers of the world to come” or millennium, when Satan will be bound, and man’s diseases cured. Their mission was general and final, and not specifically confined to Israel. No provision for the journey was to be taken, for Messiah’s power commanded the hearts of men for all their need.
When this mission was over (vs. 10) they returned, and in verse 18 the Lord seems to ask what the results of His own mission (Luke 8) and theirs (Luke 9) had been. It was refused. Some said one thing, some another (vs. 19). Discussion and reasoning is not faith, and no real results as a general thing were seen. Those who had faith confessed Him (vs. 20) as “the Christ,” which is no more to be preached (vs. 21); the testimony was over. “The Son of Man” was now about to suffer, being rejected; and His followers would have a path of sorrow and rejection in this world like His own (vss. 23-26). The transfiguration scene follows to sustain their hearts in such a path of suffering, unfolding the glories that would follow when that day would come.
The seventy are sent out on their mission now (Luke 10), which is founded on His rejection as the Messiah; and the declaration of His coming glory as Son of Man, head over all things. His full glory as Man while Son of the Father, is the result of and follows His rejection here.
It is striking that while they are empowered to “heal the sick” (Luke 10:99And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. (Luke 10:9)), they were not empowered to cast out devils, yet they make some tentative efforts in faith, to cast them out (vs. 17), which were answered of God. Devils were subject to them, “through thy name,” they say. Such is God’s answer to living faith, wherever it is found.