Day 55, Luke 10
The past few days we saw how Jesus escalated His conflict with the Sanhedrin (the Jewish council). They were obstructing God’s plan for His people, misrepresenting life in relationship with God, and preparing to murder the one who their religion was supposed to be anticipating.
There were 70 men on the Sanhedrin, and in response to their opposition, Jesus forms His own Sanhedrin, sending out 35 teams of two to go into all the towns and villages ahead of Him, with authority to heal, set free, and invite into Kingdom life. This is what the “official” Sanhedrin was supposed to do, but refused.
The commission to these leaders in the Kingdom is simple: step out and take risks, without worrying about your own needs. Accept what is offered to you, and meet every felt need - healing, freedom, whatever. Then tell your hosts: the Kingdom is close enough to touch - you can enter in!
Can you imagine how the 70 felt as they went out? “We’ve seen Jesus do all this stuff, but now it’s up to us!” No wonder they rejoiced when they found out that God loved to do the same things through them that He does through Jesus.
And Jesus rejoiced too: God hides Kingdom power from those who are wise and proud, and shows it to those who know they are nothing without Jesus!
As if to underscore the blindness of religious knowledge, the young scholar comes to ask Jesus “who is my neighbor?” In other words “ who do I have to love so that I can be accepted by God?” Of course the answer is shocking! The one who loves is the reviled outcast, not the honored religious leader. Action speaks louder than right theology!
And inaction can also be godly: at Mary and Martha’s house it is Mary who chooses to listen to Jesus, while Martha allows duty and self-effort to steal her privileged place at Jesus’ feet.
Let’s make listening and loving our priority, rather than relying on self-effort and right theology to earn us standing with God.
Have a great day!
Mark.