Week 6_SS3_CRS_FIRST TERM

WEEK SIX
MISSION OF THE SEVENTY

a. Mission of the Seventy (Luke 10:1-20) – Note the instructions given

After the mission of the twelve, Jesus also appointed a group of seventy. He sent them out in twos into every two and places where He would later go into. He said to them, the harvest is plenty but the labourers are few. He urged them to pray to God to send labourers. He warned them that they were going like lambs in the midst of wolves and gave them the following charge;

1. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals and salute no one on the road.

2. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ If a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you.

3. Remain in the same house, eat and drink what they provide, because the labourer deserves his wages.

4. Do not go from house to house.

5. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you, heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

6. But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off against you; nevertheless know this that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

Jesus considering the number of miracles done in Chorazin and Bethsaida and their unwillingness to repent, he cursed the two towns saying, “Woe to you, Chora′zin! Woe to you, Beth-sa′ida! If the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. It shall be more tolerable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.” He also rebuked Caper′na-um, saying, “Will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.” Jesus concluded by saying anyone that rejects His teaching rejects God who has sent Him.

After the mission, the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” Hearing them, Jesus said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” He warned them not to be carried away by their achievements here rather to be concerned about having their names written in heaven.

b. Importance of the report given after assignment has been carried out
Luke 10:17-20
1. The report given after the assignment has been carried out shows that it was an invasion against the reign of Satan on earth and in the lives of the people.
2. It was established that they now have authority to overcome all evil forces and that nothing can hurt them.
3. The report also reveals that performing miracles and other achievements does not guarantee that one’s name is written in heaven.

c. Achievement of the seventy and reward:
The achievements of the seventy were that;
1. They were able to heal in Jesus name
2. Demons were subject to them in Jesus name

Their reward after the assignment was that;
1. They now have authority over all the powers and forces of evil
2. Nothing shall be able to hurt them

d. Differences and similarities in the mission of the twelve and the seventy and the significance of each mission
(Matthew 10:1-15, Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6, Luke 10:1-20)

Similarities in the mission of the twelve and seventy:
1. They were not allowed to take anything along with them as they go
2. They were both given authorities to heal the sick and cast out unclean spirits
3. They were sent two by two according to Mark’s account

Difference in the mission of the twelve and the seventy:
1. The seventy were directed not to salute anyone but the twelve were not given such orders.
2. The twelve were told to shake off the dust of their feet but the seventy were told to go into the street wipe off the dust under their feet will.

Can you find out other similarities and differences?