Hi Everyone – most of you know I am heads down in the final throws of finishing my dissertation. I cannot dedicate as much time as I’d like this week. So – this is all you are getting this week – sorry.
I put the reading plan up and here is an intro and some context for each day. What is interesting about what I did is I jumped past all the formalities of sending the seventy – because I wanted to get into the hard stuff. Ther is some really difficult verses here that we need to spend some time with.
We’re stepping into one of the most profound moments in Jesus’ ministry It’s a passage filled with lessons about mission, rejection, authority, and joy…. the cosmic vision of Satan falling from heaven. Lot’s going on in this week’s readings that is intended to remind us of the power of God’s Kingdom.
Again – I apologize that this is the only blog entry for this week.
Monday: Welcoming the Kingdom of God
Scripture Readings:
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like a guest, reliant on the hospitality of others? That’s exactly the position Jesus placed His disciples in when He sent them out. He told them to eat what was offered, heal the sick, and proclaim, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”
The disciples weren’t just delivering a message—they were bringing the transformative power of God’s Kingdom. Isaiah 52:7 reminds us of the beauty of those who bring good news, proclaiming peace and salvation. This wasn’t just a message of words but of action: healing, restoring, and showing the reality of God’s reign.
Historical Context:
Most of you know this part but will repeat it for those who did not read the blogs from two weeks ago. In the first century, hospitality was a cornerstone of Middle Eastern culture. Travelers relied on the generosity of others for food and shelter, and sharing a meal was a sign of acceptance and peace. When the disciples entered a town and were welcomed, it was a powerful affirmation of the message they carried.
Jesus was teaching them to depend on God and the hospitality of others. It was a living example of faith in action— - the kind of stuff we are called to do…. Right?
Tuesday: Shaking Off Rejection
Scripture Readings:
Who likes rejection? But Ezekiel 33:8-9 echoes this idea. The watchman’s job is to warn the people; if they refuse to listen, the responsibility falls on them. Both passages remind us that God’s message requires a response, and rejecting it carries weighty consequences.
These past two days are to move us into tomorrow. It gets man!
Historical Context:
Shaking the dust off one’s feet was a symbolic act in Jewish culture. It was something Jews did when leaving Gentile territory to show they were separating themselves from unclean influences. Jesus repurposed this act, instructing His disciples to do it even in Jewish towns that rejected the Gospel. (If you want to deep dive go back two weeks and see the deep dive there).
Wednesday: Judgment on Chorazin and Bethsaida
Scripture Readings:
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!” What is that and where did it come from. Jesus is suddenly out of character – not the guy from The Chosen seasons 103 here.
These words from Jesus are a sobering reminder that witnessing God’s miracles comes with responsibility. Chorazin and Bethsaida had seen Jesus’ mighty works but failed to repent. Jesus contrasts their response with what would have happened in pagan cities like Tyre and Sidon—they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes.
Jonah 3:4-5 gives us a glimpse of what true repentance looks like. The people of Nineveh, despite being a wicked city, humbled themselves at Jonah’s warning. This contrast highlights how tragic it is when those closest to God fail to respond to His call. By the way – how many of you know the rest of the story for Nineveh? It all laid out by one of the minor prophets! Good hunting.
Historical Context:
Chorazin and Bethsaida were towns near the Sea of Galilee, places where Jesus performed many miracles. Yet their familiarity with Jesus bred complacency.
Tyre and Sidon, on the other hand, were Phoenician cities known for their paganism and idolatry. Jesus’ statement would have shocked His audience—how could these Gentile cities be more responsive than Jewish ones? This was a wake-up call: proximity to God’s works doesn’t guarantee faith. It’s about the condition of the heart.
Thursday: Authority Over the Enemy
Scripture Readings:
Jesus affirmed their victory and added a powerful statement: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
This wasn’t just about their mission—it was a cosmic declaration of the enemy’s defeat. Psalm 91:13 gives us a glimpse of this authority: “You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.”
Historical Context:
Jesus’ reference to Satan falling like lightning recalls imagery from Isaiah 14:12 and Ezekiel 28, passages often associated with the fall of Lucifer. His statement reminds us that the mission of the seventy-two wasn’t just a human endeavor—it was part of the larger spiritual battle between God’s Kingdom and the forces of evil.
The authority Jesus gave His disciples echoes God’s promises in the Old Testament. Psalm 91 is a psalm of protection, and its imagery of trampling serpents points to God’s ultimate victory over evil—a victory that Jesus was now sharing with His followers.
Friday: Rejoicing in Eternal Security
Scripture Readings:
As the seventy-two rejoiced in their authority over demons, Jesus redirected their focus: “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Their true joy wasn’t in their power but in their eternal security.
We should really focus on Daniel 12:1-. It gives us a glimpse of this eternal hope. It speaks of a time when those whose names are written in the book will be delivered and shine like stars forever.
This is the ultimate promise of God’s Kingdom—a promise that goes beyond earthly victories to eternal glory. I might do my sermon on Daniel and side reference Luke – but hey – it’s not really Friday yet and I will change my mind ten times.
Historical Context:
In Jewish thought, the idea of names being written in a book was tied to judgment and salvation. The “book” in Daniel represents those who belong to God, a concept echoed in Revelation’s Book of Life.
Jesus’ words remind His disciples—and us—that the greatest gift isn’t authority or success in ministry but the assurance of eternal life. This perspective shifts our focus from temporary triumphs to the eternal joy of being part of God’s Kingdom.
Conclusion:
This week’s readings should have challenge you to embrace God’s mission, even in the face of rejection, to trust in His authority over the enemy, and to rejoice in the eternal security He offers. But then - we have been learning that a lot lately. This is why I like taking the church through Luke slowly...
As we reflect on these passages, may we be reminded of the power, responsibility, and joy of being part of God’s Kingdom.
We also would not want to be a citizen of those towns when the bad times started (See Mark 13)…
I put the reading plan up and here is an intro and some context for each day. What is interesting about what I did is I jumped past all the formalities of sending the seventy – because I wanted to get into the hard stuff. Ther is some really difficult verses here that we need to spend some time with.
We’re stepping into one of the most profound moments in Jesus’ ministry It’s a passage filled with lessons about mission, rejection, authority, and joy…. the cosmic vision of Satan falling from heaven. Lot’s going on in this week’s readings that is intended to remind us of the power of God’s Kingdom.
Again – I apologize that this is the only blog entry for this week.
Monday: Welcoming the Kingdom of God
Scripture Readings:
- Luke 10:8-9
- Isaiah 52:7
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like a guest, reliant on the hospitality of others? That’s exactly the position Jesus placed His disciples in when He sent them out. He told them to eat what was offered, heal the sick, and proclaim, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”
The disciples weren’t just delivering a message—they were bringing the transformative power of God’s Kingdom. Isaiah 52:7 reminds us of the beauty of those who bring good news, proclaiming peace and salvation. This wasn’t just a message of words but of action: healing, restoring, and showing the reality of God’s reign.
Historical Context:
Most of you know this part but will repeat it for those who did not read the blogs from two weeks ago. In the first century, hospitality was a cornerstone of Middle Eastern culture. Travelers relied on the generosity of others for food and shelter, and sharing a meal was a sign of acceptance and peace. When the disciples entered a town and were welcomed, it was a powerful affirmation of the message they carried.
Jesus was teaching them to depend on God and the hospitality of others. It was a living example of faith in action— - the kind of stuff we are called to do…. Right?
Tuesday: Shaking Off Rejection
Scripture Readings:
- Luke 10:10-11
- Ezekiel 33:8-9
Who likes rejection? But Ezekiel 33:8-9 echoes this idea. The watchman’s job is to warn the people; if they refuse to listen, the responsibility falls on them. Both passages remind us that God’s message requires a response, and rejecting it carries weighty consequences.
These past two days are to move us into tomorrow. It gets man!
Historical Context:
Shaking the dust off one’s feet was a symbolic act in Jewish culture. It was something Jews did when leaving Gentile territory to show they were separating themselves from unclean influences. Jesus repurposed this act, instructing His disciples to do it even in Jewish towns that rejected the Gospel. (If you want to deep dive go back two weeks and see the deep dive there).
Wednesday: Judgment on Chorazin and Bethsaida
Scripture Readings:
- Luke 10:13-15
- Jonah 3:4-5
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!” What is that and where did it come from. Jesus is suddenly out of character – not the guy from The Chosen seasons 103 here.
These words from Jesus are a sobering reminder that witnessing God’s miracles comes with responsibility. Chorazin and Bethsaida had seen Jesus’ mighty works but failed to repent. Jesus contrasts their response with what would have happened in pagan cities like Tyre and Sidon—they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes.
Jonah 3:4-5 gives us a glimpse of what true repentance looks like. The people of Nineveh, despite being a wicked city, humbled themselves at Jonah’s warning. This contrast highlights how tragic it is when those closest to God fail to respond to His call. By the way – how many of you know the rest of the story for Nineveh? It all laid out by one of the minor prophets! Good hunting.
Historical Context:
Chorazin and Bethsaida were towns near the Sea of Galilee, places where Jesus performed many miracles. Yet their familiarity with Jesus bred complacency.
Tyre and Sidon, on the other hand, were Phoenician cities known for their paganism and idolatry. Jesus’ statement would have shocked His audience—how could these Gentile cities be more responsive than Jewish ones? This was a wake-up call: proximity to God’s works doesn’t guarantee faith. It’s about the condition of the heart.
Thursday: Authority Over the Enemy
Scripture Readings:
- Luke 10:17-19
- Psalm 91:13
Jesus affirmed their victory and added a powerful statement: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
This wasn’t just about their mission—it was a cosmic declaration of the enemy’s defeat. Psalm 91:13 gives us a glimpse of this authority: “You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.”
Historical Context:
Jesus’ reference to Satan falling like lightning recalls imagery from Isaiah 14:12 and Ezekiel 28, passages often associated with the fall of Lucifer. His statement reminds us that the mission of the seventy-two wasn’t just a human endeavor—it was part of the larger spiritual battle between God’s Kingdom and the forces of evil.
The authority Jesus gave His disciples echoes God’s promises in the Old Testament. Psalm 91 is a psalm of protection, and its imagery of trampling serpents points to God’s ultimate victory over evil—a victory that Jesus was now sharing with His followers.
Friday: Rejoicing in Eternal Security
Scripture Readings:
- Luke 10:20-24
- Daniel 12:1-3
As the seventy-two rejoiced in their authority over demons, Jesus redirected their focus: “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Their true joy wasn’t in their power but in their eternal security.
We should really focus on Daniel 12:1-. It gives us a glimpse of this eternal hope. It speaks of a time when those whose names are written in the book will be delivered and shine like stars forever.
This is the ultimate promise of God’s Kingdom—a promise that goes beyond earthly victories to eternal glory. I might do my sermon on Daniel and side reference Luke – but hey – it’s not really Friday yet and I will change my mind ten times.
Historical Context:
In Jewish thought, the idea of names being written in a book was tied to judgment and salvation. The “book” in Daniel represents those who belong to God, a concept echoed in Revelation’s Book of Life.
Jesus’ words remind His disciples—and us—that the greatest gift isn’t authority or success in ministry but the assurance of eternal life. This perspective shifts our focus from temporary triumphs to the eternal joy of being part of God’s Kingdom.
Conclusion:
This week’s readings should have challenge you to embrace God’s mission, even in the face of rejection, to trust in His authority over the enemy, and to rejoice in the eternal security He offers. But then - we have been learning that a lot lately. This is why I like taking the church through Luke slowly...
As we reflect on these passages, may we be reminded of the power, responsibility, and joy of being part of God’s Kingdom.
We also would not want to be a citizen of those towns when the bad times started (See Mark 13)…
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