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by Sandy Shaw
When we move on into Luke Chapter 10, we are looking at some of the things Jesus did and said once He had set his face to go to Jerusalem. Jesus appointed 72 others - for a period of ministry - sending them out two by two - and they were to go and minister in the various towns and villages, where He planned to go and preach and minister later on.
There is a crucial and vital principle for ministry in the Church of Jesus Christ here - the matter of appointing. There is no use a man or woman saying - "I think I will do this. I'll decide to serve in this area or that way." Before we can really do a work for Jesus, we have to make sure that this is a work to which Jesus Christ is calling us.
We have to make sure that this is the way in which Jesus wants us to be serving.
Jesus has to call us - appoint us - anoint us - and send us. Again the principle is developed in the New Testament - Jesus does not come Himself and do that appointing and the sending. He invariably delegates that to others, and that is when certain problems can arise.
When I went to Uganda and twice to Kenya over these recent years I have always made sure I have had the full support of the local church. That is vital. Otherwise the entire mission can just be of the flesh. It, of course, can still be that but at least you go in the knowledge that the local fellowship has agreed and sent you on your way.
There is another important spiritual principle here. Jesus sends out 36 pairs of missionaries - 36 teams of two. Nobody should be doing things on their own - no lone rangers. We should not be going out and seeking to serve and minister on our own. In some situations it can be far too dangerous to be on your own. Again, two of us went to Uganda and three of us went to Kenya, and when I was on my own in Kenya I always made sure I had the presence of one of the local leading Pastors with me.
It is good to have at least one other person with you - when one can strengthen the other - and pray for - and support. We have no authority whatsoever for going out and seeking to do things on our own. We have to be under authority - we have to be covered with shepherding care and support and authority - and know that help is available if anything should go wrong.
Jesus sends them out in pairs.
When the work is over, they return to the fellowship. It is equally important to return to the fellowship and report back as to how you have got on.
Jesus saw a large harvest, but there were not many willing workers - only some 36 pairs on this occasion. That might appear to us as quite a few!
Jesus says to them - "Pray for more workers." Those who are appointed and anointed and sent are told to pray, "Lord, give us more workers." There is so much work to be done here, that we need more willing workers - willing committed trained disciples who will serve.
Jesus also makes it clear from the beginning - GO - I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. So, when we find ourselves in this situation we should not be too surprised. Jesus has warned us.
There will be many dangers. It will be perilous work, but as we go and serve, He will be watching over us. If this were not true, we would soon be killed by the wolves.
Jesus then goes on to teach those who are prepared to do business for Him - TRAVEL LIGHT. There are principles here for mission and ministry which we each to embrace and accept.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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