The instructions given to these Seventy fledgling preachers are specific to their particular circumstances. Jesus makes this clear later in His ministry when He says, "Remember when I told you to carry no purse or no bag or no shoes? But now I am going to give you a different sent of instructions" (Luke 22:35-36). In spite of these being specific instructions to a specific situation, there are continuing lessons that we can learn.

1. Faith in God’s Provision: "Carry no purse, no bag, no shoes" (10:4).

These laborers were to travel lightly. Theirs was a short-term mission trip. They were not to raise funds or carry extra luggage. They were depending upon the Lord. That does not mean it is necessarily wrong for missionaries to collect their support prior to going out on the mission field. But it does mean that they should bear in mind that it is the Lord who is providing for them. In later chapters, Jesus will point these disciples back to this time and say, "Remember when you went out without prior financial preparation? God was faithful then and He will continue to be faithful."

It was over 25 years ago that my older brother felt that the Lord was directing him to pick up and move to Germany to minister the gospel. I recall that he was speaking to the pastor of a local church in the states and was asked about the level of his support. I recall thinking how his reply demonstrated a great measure of faith when he replied, "I am going to Germany and that has been settled. The only question is whether or not you are going to participate in that ministry."

2. Following God’s Priority: "...greet no one on the way" (10:4).

The instructions of Jesus emphasize the PRIORITY of their mission. I have served for many years as a fire fighter. Over the years, I have had a number of friends and family members visit me at the fire station and I frequently am able to take out time and visit and show them around. But that all changes when an alarm comes in. There is no more time for greetings or conversation. Something else now has priority. In the same way, Jesus is telling His disciples that the gospel is to be their first priority.

Do the epistles carry that same sense of urgency? I believe that they do. In his epistle to the Ephesians, Paul says, "be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16). This is one place where I prefer the old thundering diction of the King James Version, not only because it sounds better, but also because it more accurately conveys the sense of the Greek text when it speaks of redeeming the time, because the days are evil. The same emphasis and even the same Greek word is used in Colossians: Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity (Colossians 4:5).

There is a sense of urgency that we ought to derive. Jesus has called the church to go and to make disciples of all the nations. We ought to embark upon that mission with a sense of urgency. We have only limited lifetimes in which to accomplish our goal. It is a big goal and the laborers are few. We need to pray and then be willing to go ourselves.

3. Facilitation of God’s Partnership: Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages (10:7).

The instructions that Jesus gives to these disciples have ramifications, not only for them, but also for those who would hear their message. It was the duty of the hearers to provide for the needs of those who proclaimed the message. The New Testament is clear in teaching that those who proclaim the Word are to be supported by those who receive the Word.

William Barclay tells the story of a shoemaker who sponsored a young man for the ministry. When the young man was licensed to preach, the shoemaker came to him and said, "It was always my desire to be a minister of the gospel, but the circumstances of my life made it impossible. You are achieving what was closed to me. And I want you to promise me one thing--I want you to let me make and cobble your shoes--for nothing--and I want you to wear them in the pulpit when you preach, and then I’ll feel you are preaching the gospel I always wanted to preach standing in my shoes." That is a Biblical principle and it comes from this passage.

4. Forbearance in the area of Palatability: "Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat what is set before you" (10:8). There is a problem with this instruction. The problem is that Jesus has not sent this group exclusively to Jewish homes. They are going to be in the homes of all sorts of people. They are going to be in homes that may not practice the kosher dietary regulations of the Jews. Perhaps this is a hint of things to come, for we know from our own perspective that the day came when those dietary regulations of the Old Covenant were removed.

Here is the point. They are to be more concerned with people than they are what is put on their plate.

5. Faithfulness to God’s Preaching and Pastoral Ministry: Heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you’" (10:8).

Notice that to BOTH those who believed and those who rejected, the messengers were to speak the same message and to be sure to tell them that the kingdom of God had come near.

Notice that there is a corresponding relationship between light and liability. Those who are given the light of the gospel are correspondingly more liable and more responsible to accept that gospel.

Luke quickly moves to the return of the Seventy. He does not tell us how long they were gone, but it seems evident that some time had passed between verse 16 and verse 17. As they return, they are excited about the way their ministry has been manifested in its domination over the realm of Satan.

Having told the Seventy that over which they should be rejoicing, Jesus now proceeds to model that kind of rejoicing Himself. He rejoices that the gospel is not grasped solely by smart people. Indeed, it is often hidden from the wise and from the intelligent. A high I.Q. is often a hindrance when it comes to the kingdom. Why is this? Is there some sort of merit in being ignorant? No. But the person who is ignorant and who knows it is ready to accept the knowledge that God gives. This person who is blind and who is aware of his blindness is ready to have his eyes opened. There is none so blind as one who only thinks that he can see.