7.1 THE MISSION OF THE TWELVE (MT. 10:5-15; MK. 6:7-13; LK. 9:1-16)

After Jesus had taught his disciples both privately and publicly, he decided to send them out to practice what they had learnt.  The three synoptic gospels recorded the mission of the twelve disciples.

Matthew stated that the mission of the twelve was limited to the Jewish territories but Luke and Mark did not record it.  Matthew alone stated the names of the disciples that were sent out but not recorded by the two other gospels.  Mark stated that the disciples were sent out in pairs i.e. two by two but Luke and Matthew did not state it.  Matthew stated that Jesus called the twelve disciples and gave them authority over an unclean spirit to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity.  Jesus announced rules guiding their mission-a code of conduct.  The first was that they should not go with money or tunics or bags.  They should stay in places where they were received with open hands.

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THE MISSION OF THE SEVENTY (LK. 10:1-24)

Luke alone gave the account of the mission of the seventy.  According to Luke, seventy others were appointed by Jesus.  He sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself would go later.  He said the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, they should that God would send more laborers into the field. He gave them instructions like he did when he sent out the twelve. They are not to take, purse, haversack, sandals and they should not salute anybody on the road. Whatever house they enter, their first word should be “peace to this house”. He added that if a man of peace lives there, their peace will rest on him but if not, it will come back to them. They are to stay in the same house that welcomed them. They should not move from house to house. They should eat whatever is presented to them. Whenever they enter a town that welcomes them, they should heal the sick and proclaim to them that the kingdom of God is at hand. Wherever they are not welcomed, they should go out into the streets and wipe off the dust of their town that is clinging to their feet. He assured them that the kingdom of God is at hand and it will be worse for that town more than Sodom on the judgment day.

He condemned cities like Chorazin, Bethesda and Capernaum where he had done a lot of mighty work yet they did not repent nor believe in him. He concluded his instruction by saying anyone who listens to you, listen to me but anyone who rejects you, rejects me and the one who sent me.

LESSONS TO LEARN FROM THE TWO MISSIONS AND THE SIGNIFICANCE

1. Jesus’ charge against taking money, two tunics, bags and saluting people on their way meant that the mission was urgent, hence unnecessary luxuries should be avoided.
2. Jesus’ warning that he was sending the disciples out as lambs in the midst of wolves meant that they were bound to face persecution and stiff challenges in the ministry.
3. Just like he sent out his apostle and disciples, Jesus, today can also send us on assignments.
4. Jesus’ decision to send out the seventy on the same mission he had earlier sent the twelve points to the importance of the assignment.