“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.”

Luke 10:2-4

We can learn much from Jesus’ instructions. Churches today seem to have abandoned the practice of sending out members door to door. Are we in danger of forsaking our mission entirely?

In our text, Jesus says 12 crucial things.

1) ‘The harvest is plentiful’ (the world needs the church’s mission). ‘…

2) the workers are few’ (there is more work than laborers). ‘

3) ‘Ask the Lord of the harvest’ (prayer does matter). ‘

4) ‘Go!’ (all are sent, not just high-profile people).

5) ‘… like lambs among wolves’ (God’s mission is vulnerable; the forces of evil are real).

6) ‘do not greet anyone on the road’ (we need to be single-minded).

7) ‘say Peace to this house”’ (be a peacemaker).

8 ‘Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you’ (be gracious; accept the hospitality offered, particularly by culturally different people).

9) tell them, “The kingdom of God has come near”’ (be transparent about your motives).

10) when … you are not welcomed’ (we won’t always succeed).

11) ‘… say, “Even the dust from your town we wipe from our feet”’ (put failure behind you and keep trying).

12) the kingdom of God has come near’ (we are not alone; God is always near).

Jesus’ principles guide us in every generation. The context, means, and forms of mission will change, but its basis in God’s redemptive love remains constant.

CLOSING PRAYER

Dear Jesus, I look to you to help me be and do all that you call me to—with confidence, with courage, with consistency. Help me be a faithful witness for you, trusting you to work, not just in me, but through me.

(From Encounter with God)