Luke 10:1
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.
Going Ahead of Christ
When Jesus sent out the 72 to preach the Gospel, He sent them out to the places that “He was about to go” (Luke 10:1), meaning that He would go where these men went but at a later time. These men surely didn’t know what to expect, and Jesus was asking them to do something they must not have been completely sure of. But did they question Jesus about this? That doesn’t seem to be the case, so they must have trusted Jesus enough to not lead them to someplace they shouldn’t go. Jesus warned them that they were being sent out like lambs among the wolves (Luke 10:3) and to depend on others to take care of their needs (Luke 10:4-5). They trusted Jesus enough to go with no provisions because they believed in Jesus. Do we?
Going Ahead for Christ
Jesus commanded the disciples to go into all the world and that their power would be supplied by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). I don’t think they could have ever seen all that was to come. Some would be beaten, others would be imprisoned, and all except the Apostle John would be killed for their belief and teachings of Christ. Even so, there seems to be no hesitation on their part. They never questioned Jesus, knowing Him well enough by this time to have complete trust in Him and knowing that Jesus wasn’t going to send them out to preach the Gospel and that the Holy Spirit would not lead them somewhere they shouldn’t go but rather would lead them exactly where they should go. Is God asking you to do something that you’re not sure of yet? Can you trust Him enough to know that He’ll never lead you somewhere you’re not supposed to go?
Your Going
God might be putting something on your heart right now that seems like a huge step of faith. I don’t know what that is for you. It might only be to proclaim the message of salvation to that unsaved family member of yours. Maybe it’s time for you to share your faith with your neighbor. It could be that your church needs you for an outreach activity for the community. He might even want you to jump in and take that Sunday school position or maybe even a mission trip. I don’t know what it is for you, but God could well be asking you to do something that you’re not even sure about right now. But remember that He will never send you somewhere you should not go. Pray about it, seek godly counsel about it, and then just do it.
A Closing Prayer
Father, I know that going into the world is hard for me to do, but I am commanded by You to do it (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). I am unsure at times what to say and where to go, so please help me to seek the direction You would have me go and trust You enough to know that You will never send me somewhere I’m not supposed to go. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen
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