#61 Luke 10:1-4 For The Mission-Minded: The Harvest is Plentiful

On March 6, 2022 by Amy Burgin

Joy:
Episode #61 Luke 10:1-4

Welcome

Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.

Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin

Amy:
Christgazing is the act of looking steadily and intently at Christ, and we believe there is nothing more beautiful to gaze upon than him. We believe his love for you is deep, high, long, and wide. We believe he aches for you to know his love, and he speaks personally to those who seek him. We believe his words are the best words, which is why we make space for them on this podcast.

Each week, Joy reads a passage from the Bible several times and creates stillness after each reading so that we might be still ourselves and know God more.

We are in a series that takes us through the book of Luke.

Pour Out Your Heart to God

Amy:
Before Joy reads today’s passage, take a few moments to give God the things that are on your mind. Maybe it’s hope, hopelessness, joy, depression, gratitude, grief, or a mix of all of these things and more. Whatever is on your mind, name it, and bring it to the Lord in this next minute.

What Does This Passage Say About God?

Joy: As I read the passage for the first time, consider the question, What does this passage say about God?

Luke 10:1-4 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. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals, and do not greet anyone on the road.

Again?

Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about God?

[Pause and know]

What Does This Passage Say About People?

Joy:
As I reread the passage, consider the question: What does this passage tell you about people?

Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about people?

[Pause and know]

Lord, What Would You Have Me Know Or Do Today?

Joy: As I read for the last time, ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”

Take the next minute to ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”

[Pause and listen]

Blessing

Joy: Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. And may you keep your face turned toward Jesus today and follow him.

One Response

Amy:
Four points stand out to me when I first read this passage.

The harvest is plentiful. The harvest is now. Many people are ready and ripe to accept Christ. If Jesus sends you out, you can trust there is a harvest.
Harvest time is an exciting time associated with joy and celebration. I am reminded of Boaz in the book of Ruth, Chapter 2. He traveled to his farm during harvest, and upon arrival, meeting the harvesters, hollered out, “The Lord be with you!” They hollered back, “The Lord bless you!” I imagine them with smiles spread across their faces and hands waving high, eager to include themselves in the greeting. When Jesus sends you out, you can go with an autumn spirit of anticipation and celebration.
At the beginning of Luke Chapter 9, Jesus sent his twelve disciples to go from town to town. Here, in Luke 10, he sends six times as much, seventy-two. His ministry had a small beginning, and we get it to see its growth here. When Jesus leads you to start a ministry, it will be after his own kind, and so, it will grow.
Jesus sent them to every town and place where Jesus was about to go. When God sends you to a person or a town, you can go in faith that he has a plan to enter the heart of people. What an honor to prepare the way for the Lord!

Closing

Amy:
Joy and I will be back again next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, don’t forget, when you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails, and so do you.