Anchor My Faith

Instructions For Those Being Sent

Scripture: Luke 10:4-11

We ended the previous lesson with Jesus telling those being sent out that they were going as sheep to minister among wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. In this lesson Jesus gives further instruction.

^{Lk 10:4} “Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. ⁵ Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ ⁶ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.”

^{Lk 10:8} “Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. ⁹ Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ ¹⁰ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ¹¹ ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless, know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’”

This same instruction was given to the twelve when they were sent out. Commentary on that instruction was covered in gev080 and can be found at the following links and will not be duplicated here.

• H286 The Disciples Sent Out Two by Two (Matthew 10:1, 5; Mark 6:7; Luke 9:2)
• H287 Ministry Instructions (Matthew 10:5-8)
• H288 Travel Instructions (Matthew 10:9-11; Mark 6:8)
• H289 Rejection Results in Judgment (Matthew 10:12-15; Luke 9:5)

We will finish this lesson with a few observations. The instruction to “carry no sandals” probably means “don’t take an extra pair” since Jesus is telling them what to carry. They were told to “greet no one on the road because greetings were lengthy and time-consuming in those days. This is implied from 2 Kings 4:29 ESV: “[The man of God] said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.”’ The mission is urgent, so don’t stop and greet people along the way.

Conclusion

Jesus first sent out the twelve by twos, then he sent out the 70 or 72 by twos and in Mark 16:15 and Matthew 28:19 – 20 we are instructed to go and preach the gospel and make disciples. The twelve disciples and the “others” were obedient. Are We?