By F. D. Adkins
At the beginning of Luke, chapter ten, Jesus chooses seventy to go out in pairs and spread His message in the cities. These men have an important mission, one that is certain to encounter difficulty and opposition. Jesus said, “…The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few… Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves” (Luke 10:2-3 KJV).
When the seventy return, they are joyful. “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name” (Luke 10:17 KJV). From this verse, I picture these seventy men smiling and their voices reflecting the same excitement as a child with big news to share. And then we are told that Jesus rejoices. Luke 10:21 states, “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight” (KJV). F
This shows the happiness Jesus feels when we do His work with sincere joy and love in our hearts for Him.
At the end of Luke, chapter ten, we are given the account of Jesus’ visit to the home of the sisters, Mary and Martha. The verses detail how Martha becomes upset because while she is busy serving and preparing the meal, Mary is just sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him talk. (“And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. Luke 39-40 KJV.) However, Jesus is more pleased that Mary is spending time with him than busying herself serving. He says, “…Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42 KJV).
As I studied this chapter in the Gospel of Luke, I was reminded of Jesus’ message in Revelation to the church in Ephesus. He commends them on their good works, but then He tells them, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love” (Revelation 2:4 KJV). The church in Ephesus was serving God. They had kept their faith and were doing good works. So, what did Jesus mean that they had left their first love? I think maybe they were so caught up in the work they were doing that they had lost touch with why they were doing it.
At the beginning of Luke, chapter ten, Jesus rejoices when the seventy are so excited about the work He has called them to do. Yet, at the end of chapter ten, we are reminded that time with Jesus, listening and devouring His Word, is vital in strengthening our relationship with Him and keeping that excitement in whatever task He has called us to do for His glory.
So, each morning, let us start our day at the feet of Jesus with our Bible open, devouring His Word, and listening to Him speak through the scripture.
