Overview of the Book of Luke Chapters 10-24
Thursday, March 4
Read Luke 10
Think About It:
Their calling was a dangerous one. As they invaded enemy territory (Luke 10:17), they would be like “lambs among the wolves.” But as long as they relied on the Lord, they would win the battle. It would require discipline and faith for them to do the job. There was an urgency about the work and the Lord did not want them to be overburdened with extra supplies or be delayed on the road by elaborate eastern greetings. They had to trust God to provide homes, water, food, and they were not to be embarrassed to accept hospitality.
To hear Christ’s ambassadors means to hear Him, and to despise His representative means to despise Him. “As My Father has sent Me, even so I send you.” The way a nation treats an ambassador is the way it treats the government the ambassador represents.
We can well understand the joy of the 70 as they returned to report their victories to Jesus. He had given them power and authority to heal, to cast out demons, and to preach the Word, and they were successful! The Lord cautioned them not to go on rejoicing over their victories but to rejoice because their names have been written in heaven. As wonderful as their miracles were, the greatest miracle of all is still the salvation of a lost soul.
By using a Samaritan as the hero, Jesus disarmed the Jews, for the Jews and Samaritans were enemies. It was not a Jew helping the Samaritan but a Samaritan helping a Jew who had been ignored by his fellow Jews! The Samaritan loved those who hated him, risked his own life, spent two-days wages on him, and was never publicly rewarded or honored as far as we know. What the Samaritan did helps us better understand what it means to “show mercy”, and it also illustrates the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Mary and Martha are often contrasted as though each believer must make the choice—be a worker like Martha or a worshiper like Mary. Certainly our personalities and gifts are different, but that does not mean that the Christian life isn’t an either/or situation. Charles Wesley said it perfectly in one of his hymns:
Faithful to My Lords commands,
I still would choose the better part;
Serve with careful Martha’s hands,
And loving Mary’s heart.
Family Time:
- Re-read verses 17-20. Again, the disciples (this time 70 of them) are pleased with the results of this authority given them. Satan fell because he wanted to be “like God”; Adam and Eve sinned because they were tempted by Satan to also be exalted and have God’s special knowledge. Jesus is quick to remind them that there is no place in God’s Kingdom for pride. God has given every believer a measure of authority, but we too need to have humble hearts as Jesus did when handling authority. Explain what a humble leader might look like.
- What was the special emotion the Samaritan had in verse 33? If you have been reading these New Testament readings, who else are we REPEATEDLY told had this emotion?
- Who could you have compassion on and show mercy to today? What would it look like?
- In the Story of Mary and Martha we see two sisters with different responses to the Lord’s visit. Both worship and service are important, but according to Jesus we shouldn’t let our responsibility to serve DISTRACT us from FIRST worshipping. We also need to recognize WHEN HE IS NEAR. Do you get up early and spend time in God’s Word, praying, listening, and worshipping Him? Or are you too distracted doing “Churchy” activities or nice things to slow down and spend REAL time with Him?
