Luke 10:21-22
At that same time, Jesus felt the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, and he said:
My Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I am grateful that you hid all this from wise and educated people and showed it to ordinary people. Yes, Father, this is what pleased you.
My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who really knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so they can know him too.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I had to go back and read the first verses of Luke 10, because we often need the “back story” to know what God is trying to tell us. In this case, Jesus has chosen some seventy-plus people to be His “agents” in the area of His ministry…preaching and discipling to those they encounter. Jesus gives them specific instructions…stay at one home – don’t flit from house to house…travel light…and if the people welcome them, stay and heal their sick and tell them that God’s Kingdom is coming. But if the villagers reject these representatives or treat them poorly, Jesus tells them to leave and “shake the dust from your feet” as they remind these citizens that God’s Kingdom is near.
I like how The Message explains this…it says that Jesus says to tell the “naysayers” that the only thing they got from them was dirt – and they are giving it back! The seventy-plus men go out and return with great news that “even the demons danced to Your tune!” Now, we see that Jesus is filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit. He is also thrilled that God used “ordinary people” to share His message.
Too often, we think that we don’t have anything to offer as Christ’s disciple. We think we are not “spiritual” enough, or we don’t feel like we are someone that others will take a second look at and say, “I want what he/she has (with regard to Jesus).” I am not talking about becoming someone that others wish to emulate because of appearance, material wealth, popularity, or position. I am talking about plain, everyday people who live and love as Jesus commands…and exude His joy and peace. THESE are the kind of people Jesus “recruited,” and this is how He wants you and me to “disciple.”
Here’s what I hear when I read Luke 10. Jesus is calling on us to serve as His hands and feet to others. He has told us to be careful who we “hang” with – and not to flit from one group to another looking for acceptance or the best “fit.” Jesus is telling us to “bloom where we are planted,” and if we are not well-received, move somewhere else. In other words, how we serve Jesus doesn’t depend on popularity…and it is not our job to convince others to live and serve as we do. We are simply to present the teachings of Jesus in our daily words and actions – and let the Holy Spirit handle the rest.
Some of the finest followers of Jesus I’ve ever known didn’t have a wide circle of social contacts or a lot of money. But they had the joy and peace that comes from enjoying an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. This dictated everything else in their lives – and defined how others saw them…and this pleases Jesus. Choose this day Who you will serve…then go back and read Luke 10 for some great tips on how Christ’s followers should conduct themselves. Remember, when we get this right, “even the demons dance to His tune!” Alleluia!
©2023 Debbie Robus
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