While the 12 disciples Jesus hand picked in Luke 9:1-6 get most of the attention, Luke’s gospel reveals a different story. Sure, Jesus’ inner circle, James, John and Peter witnessed the transfiguration in Matthew 17, watched Jesus raise a dead girl to life in Mark 5:37-43 and were asked to stay with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane to pray with Him before Jesus is arrested in Matthew 26:37-42. However, there must be a reason for a doctor to invest 24 verses in Luke 10 about these unknown men. Meanwhile, Luke devotes just 6 verses in chapter 9 to the calling of 12 disciples.
Beginning in chapter 10, Luke uses the term appointed, meaning chosen, selected by Jesus as workers in the field. Jesus’ goal for these 72 others was to yield a spiritual harvest by spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. These men were expected to be led by to the Holy Spirit, going ahead of Jesus, to every nearby town and village to prepare people for His coming. This is very similar to ministry organizations, who send prayer teams ahead of them into cities they will be having crusades, like Billy Graham Rally’s, so that once message of Christ is shared, Romans 10:17, people enter relationships with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Like war, the people on the front line, laying their life on the line daily often get overlooked. Unfortunately, the generals and strategic planners get most of the glory and headlines, leaving the true heroes in total obscurity. The apostle Paul echoes a similar sentiment in 1 Corinthians 12:12-26, while one spiritual gift may be perceived as greater than another, every person in the body of Christ is important. Every person plays a vital role and without their gift being fanned into flame, their entire body suffers, not living up to its full potential. So the next time you are feeling insignificant, remember the other 72 disciples and the part you can play as an under cover agent for the King of kings and Lord of lords.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 