Luke 10
March Memory Verse: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 NIV
Read: Luke 10
We have just entered into a section in the book of Luke (Luke 9:51-19:28) that is sometimes referred to as the “Gospel for the Outcast”. It is called this because it is filled with examples of Jesus’s compassion for those who are “outcast” from society. Many of the parables that Jesus teaches in the book of Luke are found in this section, as well as the memory verse that we are working through this month, Luke 19:10–”For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” This gives us great insight to the purpose of Jesus’s ministry.
The way that Luke 10 fits into this theme is found in a few ways:
Verses 1-24 covers the sending out and ministry of the seventy-two disciples. They were sent for the purpose of gospel proclamation. Luke 10:2 is one of the key verses in the chapter, and one that should drive our prayers: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” This simply means that there is no shortage of those who need to hear the gospel. If you’ve been wondering how you fit in the life of the church, realize that the main ministry of the church is making disciples! Sharing the gospel with those who don’t know Christ can be one of the primary ways God uses you in the church.
Verses 25-37 is a passage that could be a post of its own because of the way the original hearers would have understood it. (For more insight into this parable, check out this sermon) It is essentially showcasing how having compassion for the outcast is an essential part of loving your neighbor as yourself.
Finally, verses 38-42 once again showcase the need for Jesus to be the supreme desire and focus of our lives. This intense focus on Jesus can cause us to sacrifice what are actually good things for the sake of the greatest thing.
What stood out to you from our passage?
By: Graham Withers
Read: Luke 10
We have just entered into a section in the book of Luke (Luke 9:51-19:28) that is sometimes referred to as the “Gospel for the Outcast”. It is called this because it is filled with examples of Jesus’s compassion for those who are “outcast” from society. Many of the parables that Jesus teaches in the book of Luke are found in this section, as well as the memory verse that we are working through this month, Luke 19:10–”For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” This gives us great insight to the purpose of Jesus’s ministry.
The way that Luke 10 fits into this theme is found in a few ways:
Verses 1-24 covers the sending out and ministry of the seventy-two disciples. They were sent for the purpose of gospel proclamation. Luke 10:2 is one of the key verses in the chapter, and one that should drive our prayers: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” This simply means that there is no shortage of those who need to hear the gospel. If you’ve been wondering how you fit in the life of the church, realize that the main ministry of the church is making disciples! Sharing the gospel with those who don’t know Christ can be one of the primary ways God uses you in the church.
Verses 25-37 is a passage that could be a post of its own because of the way the original hearers would have understood it. (For more insight into this parable, check out this sermon) It is essentially showcasing how having compassion for the outcast is an essential part of loving your neighbor as yourself.
Finally, verses 38-42 once again showcase the need for Jesus to be the supreme desire and focus of our lives. This intense focus on Jesus can cause us to sacrifice what are actually good things for the sake of the greatest thing.
What stood out to you from our passage?
By: Graham Withers
7 Comments
I have often thought about the 70 sent out. Who were they? What happened after this? Did they continue to change history? Now we are sent by Jesus - what an honor!
They took the Gospel - the best words ever spoken! 24 I tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn't see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn't hear it."
We can take that too - to everyone we meet. I'm in!
In the parable of the good Samaritan, when I have read 10:36 in the past it would come across to me as "who was his neighbor." But reading it today I see that He said, "who was a neighbor to the man..." This means you must actively BE a neighbor to those in need (as Graham puts it, the outcasts)- avail yourself. It's so easy to miss the subtle but powerful messages in God's Word.
This is something that I have had to work on for years, compassion for the outcast. There are times where I can look at people and wrongly see them as "too far gone." It's difficult to see people as Jesus saw them, with love, but that's the example he set, and I need to have that same heart.
The story of the Good Samaritan is reminding me of the old song "Give Me Your Eyes". I do often see people and make judgments and decide if I dislike someone based on things that in the eyes of God would be superficial. This is not what the Samaritan did. He had compassion and he cared about the man unlike the other men and it didn't matter that he should not have liked the other man. I pray that God will allow me to see people through his eyes.
Dale! I am so proud of the way that you have been growing!
I am reminded of these verses of Scripture when I see the homeless on our street corners with signs asking for help. Am I to treat them as the good Samaritan did? Do I give them money? What is/should be my response to those I see in distress? You hear reports that many of them use the money for drugs, liquor etc... So how are we to discern whether or not to give? The good Samaritan didn't question the persons motives/why he was in his situation/how he got there... He just saw someone in need and met that need. Should that be my response always when I see someone in need? Ive heard it said that you can give and let God deal with how they use the money..at least we did the right thing. What is the proper response to those we see on the streets???
This is such a good question, Al, and I have struggled with it too. I have resolved to give to select organizations that help those in need and have been vetted and proved to be genuine. Regarding those who are on the streets that we see every day holding signs that pierce your heart, I pray and when the Holy Spirit moves me (and only then) I provide a need, be it money, a ride, or getting them some food. Then, like you said, it's up to the Holy Spirit what is done with the gift. But never loose a compassionate heart..