Sunday 6 July 2025
He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest." (v. 2)
Background
Jesus chose some of his followers to prepare places for his forthcoming visits. Early manuscripts differ on whether the number chosen was 70 or 72. Just as Jesus chose 12 disciples because there were the 12 tribes of Israel, it has been suggested he chose 70 because the Jews thought there were 70 nations in the world. If so, this symbolised his mission was not going to be just to the Jews and next in this chapter comes the Parable of the Good Samaritan which has a non-Jew as its hero.
Other commentators point out that Moses appointed 70 elders and God then poured his Holy Spirit onto 72 (Numbers 11:24-26) and say the Jews saw the numbers 70 and 72 as interchangeable. The men chosen were probably from among the 120 whom Peter later described as having accompanied the disciples "all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us." (Acts 1:21)
Jesus advises them on how to undertake their work – to begin their mission with prayer, to go out in twos to provide mutual support, and to travel lightly, relying on God to provide for their needs. He recommends they base themselves in a welcoming home and be grateful guests. The reference to him sending them as lambs among wolves indicates he expected them to face opposition. He says they should declare publicly to those who refuse to listen that those who reject Jesus’ message are rejecting God. Jesus later said more about this before his arrest: "For I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak." (John 12:49)
In Proverbs 21:4 we read "Haughty eyes and a proud heart… are sin." When the mission proves a success, Jesus asks them not to rejoice in the power they have exerted.
To Ponder:
- What does this passage have to say about our role as ‘harvesters’ and about the call to evangelise?
- Do you see the call to heal the sick as Jesus referring to physical healing or to healing the spiritually sick? Or both?
- What do you think the followers of Jesus felt about their role before they undertook it and after it?
Prayer
Heavenly God, I pray that you may empower me to share my testimony, as a disciple of Christ, so that others are brought to faith through coming to know you. Give me the words I need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bible notes author: Gary Best
Gary was headmaster of Kingswood School from 1987 to 2008 and volunteer warden of the New Room in Bristol from 2009 to 2019. He has published over 20 books, including The Christian Alphabet, a study book for home groups.