Luke 10

Embracing the Challenge: The Realities of Sharing Our Faith

In Luke 10, we see Jesus sending out seventy-two of His followers to spread His message ahead of His arrival in various towns. As He gives them their instructions, it's clear He doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of what they’re about to face. Jesus is honest with His disciples about the difficulties ahead. He tells them, “I am sending you out like lambs among wolves” (Luke 10:3), a metaphor that starkly illustrates the dangers they will encounter.

This wasn’t going to be a cushy, easy mission. Instead, it would involve rejection, discomfort, and possibly even danger. Jesus wasn’t offering an idealized version of what it means to follow Him. He was preparing His followers for the hard road ahead, knowing they would face ridicule, opposition, and hostility. This is a key lesson for us today: when we share our faith, we might face rejection, misunderstanding, or even hostility. But that doesn’t mean we’ve failed. It simply means we’re following in the footsteps of those who came before us.

The Challenge of Peace: A Reminder to Protect Ourselves

Jesus continues in Luke 10 with specific instructions about how His followers are to approach others. When they enter a house, they are to offer peace to that home (Luke 10:5-6). If peace is received, they are to stay and continue their work; if not, they are to move on. There’s something deeply powerful in this instruction. Jesus reminds us that peace is a gift, and it’s something we can offer others, but it’s not always something that will be accepted.

This is where the concept of protecting our peace comes into play. We’ve all had those moments when we’ve shared our faith, extended kindness, or offered peace, only to be met with rejection or even disdain. It’s tempting to take it personally or feel discouraged. However, Jesus’ words remind us that rejection is not a reflection of us, but of where others are in their journey. We are called to protect our peace by not letting these rejections weigh us down. Our peace comes from God, and He alone is our source of strength and reassurance.

Living with Boldness: Being Willing to Sign Up for the Hard Road

What stands out in this passage is Jesus’ call to be bold and unwavering in our mission. He tells His disciples not to take extra provisions for the journey (Luke 10:4), implying that they should trust God to provide for their needs as they go. This is a call to radical dependence on God. It’s not about what we bring to the table or how well-prepared we think we are. It’s about trusting God’s provision and stepping out in faith, even when the outcome is uncertain or uncomfortable.

This also applies to our daily lives. When we feel God nudging us to share our story or speak truth into someone’s life, we might hesitate due to fear of rejection or discomfort. Yet, Jesus reminds us that this is part of the journey. It’s about signing up for the challenge and embracing the discomfort that comes with following Him. Our role isn’t to control the outcome, but to be faithful to what we’re called to do.

Trusting God with the Results

The passage then encourages us to trust God with the results of our efforts. In Luke 10:10-11, when a town rejects the message, Jesus advises His followers to shake the dust off their feet and move on. The rejection is not a personal failure—it’s simply a part of the reality of sharing the gospel. Sometimes, our efforts will lead to a changed heart, and other times, they won’t. Either way, we’re not in charge of the outcome. We’re only responsible for being faithful and obedient to the call.

As we walk through our daily lives, we should remember that sharing our faith isn’t about having all the right answers or convincing others to believe. It’s about faithfully extending peace, living out the truth, and trusting that God will handle the rest. Let’s embrace the challenge, protect our peace, and step boldly into the work God has set before us, knowing that He is with us every step of the way.

Our Triune God’s Love for People

As the passage continues, Jesus reflects on the moment Satan was defeated and cast out of heaven. He reminds us of his authority placed in the believer - but this is not to be the greatest point of celebration. People can often get caught up in the “entertainment” of the spiritual realm. The spirit realm is very much alive and interacting with our earthly realm today but we must keep things in perspective. As we follow Jesus and the Lord ushers in the Kingdom, demons will get kicked out and light will shine in the darkness and remember what Jesus said in Luke 10:20, “However, don’t rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Luke 10:21 reveals how God is fully involved in bringing his love to the world. Notice the trinity in this one verse, “At that time he (Jesus, the 2nd person of the Trinity) rejoiced in the Holy Spirit (3rd person of the Trinity) and said, “I praise you Father (1st person of the Trinity) Lord of heaven and earth because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, because this was your good pleasure.”

Loving Our Neighbors

I can hear Mr. Roger’s voice, “won’t you be my neighbor?” as I read this passage (Luke 10:25-37). Jesus is making it clear that we’re to love God and all people. Our neighbor is not just the person living next door, it is the person at the crosswalk with you and the one who sits in the cubicle across the aisle from you. In Jesus’ interaction with Mary and Martha he gives us a helpful reminder. Don’t get caught up in acts of service and doing as if we’re living on a hamster wheel, first sit at the feet of Jesus. In fact Charles Spurgeon has a quote that says, “The way to get revival is the begin at the Master’s feet; you must go there with Mary and afterwards you may work with Martha.”

Begin your day with Jesus and let his word wash over you then we have something good to offer the world in our love and service. Note, the word used for “serve” in Luke 10:40 is the same word used to identity Deacons who serve in the church. It’s not a bad word, its a good word! Spending time with Jesus then serving will always keep our hearts in the proper order.