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The amazing Luke 10 journey

For the last 20 years or so, I’ve been challenged by a Scripture that’s so incredible, I’m tempted to discount it as being utterly impractical for our modern times. But I can’t help myself – I keep coming back to the account of Jesus sending out his disciples to places they’d never been with a me…
By Seth Barnes
For the last 20 years or so, I’ve been challenged by a Scripture that’s so incredible, I’m tempted to discount it as being utterly impractical for our modern times. But I can’t help myself – I keep coming back to the account of Jesus sending out his disciples to places they’d never been with a message they’d only recently heard, and authority they’d never tested. You can read about it in Luke 9 and 10 or Matthew 10. Jesus starts off saying:
As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff;
When we send out our World Racers, we send them with a backpack and some money in the bank. In contrast, here was the disciples packing list:
 
No money
No traveler’s bag
No change of clothes
No shoes
No walking stick
 
And what do you suppose the disciples were thinking as they contemplated the ministry assignment Jesus gave them? Just imagine you’re on a mission trip with Jesus as the leader and he tells you you’re going to:
 
preach the kingdom of God
heal the sick
raise the dead
cure those with leprosy
cast out demons
 
I’d be Joe Pesci, “OK, OK, hang on, a second here! Did you say, raise the dead? What’s that about??” But Jesus doesn’t pause for Q&A with the disciples. While their eyes are still crossing, he goes on to give them a risk assessment:
  • But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues.
  • You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers.
  • When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. 
  • A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child,
  • Children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed
  • And all nations will hate you because you are my followers.
  • When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next.
  • But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. 
  • Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. 
What would your response to this be? Here you’re told to do crazy, supernatural stuff like bringing dead people back to life, yet you’re told to leave everything you own behind. And in case you’re thinking, “If I try to do that stuff, I’m surely going to create a ruckus,” he confirms your deepest concerns: “Not only will you create a ruckus, but it’s going to be embarrassing and painful and you may die.”
 
Well, that’s comforting. But not exactly how we do business in the 20th century.
 
When I think about them sitting around, this motley crew that had done nothing of consequence so far, I imagine there must have been some pushback when Jesus finished his instructions. Of course we don’t read about that. But it can’t have been easy for them to swallow – not Thomas, not Judas, not the ever-inquisitive Peter.
 
God is still asking us to do the impossible today and live to tell about it. Yesterday one of our teams was held up at gunpoint in Tanzania and robbed of everything they own. And we had done what Jesus said – found the man of peace and were in his compound at the time. That kind of thing scares me to death and makes me want to stop sending young people to countries where danger lurks. I want  to play it safe.
 
But, then there is this Scripture and this story of what this guy who I’ve made Lord of my life did with his disciples. And if I’m to be serious about my commitment, I can’t duck and run. So, here’s where I come out: Instead of engaging in risk arbitrage, more of us need to allow him to throw us into the deep end so that we can begin to see how amazing it is when he provides for us in that place.
 
[I’m serious about testing Jesus in this. If you’re interested in exploring with me what that might look like – let me know. I’ll send you a Luke 10 Manual and introduce you to some others who are saying, “Here am I, send me.” Somehow, we’re going to do this and I’d like to begin next year, perhaps in SE Asia.]
 

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