Luke 10 tells three distinct stories, all of which combine for great reminders of ministry. Years ago I remember a minister talking about how he wanted to live in the spirit of Luke 10.
The first story is the sending out of the 72. It’s about the call. Ministers called of God can relate. There is the excitement of getting out and doing what God has called you to do.
I need that reminder. The call of Jesus to his disciples is to proclaim what you have learned and demonstrate it. They were to go out proclaiming the Kingdom (what Jesus had taught) and then demonstrate the power of the Kingdom (which Jesus had been doing all along). In other words, it was time for the baby eagles to get out of the nest and learn to flap their wings.
It had to have been a joyous time to have the 72 coming back and reporting!
“WOW! All you said and did, we said and did! Even demons were subject to us!”
It’s at this point Jesus reminds them to stay grounded. “”Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Keep perspective.
The second story incorporates the parable of the Good Samaritan. The first story is a reminder of the call of God. The second story is about staying focused. The priest and the Levite in the story should have helped the wounded man. What kept them from helping was the distractions of their day. They had their “duties.” If they stopped to help, they would be delayed from their duties.
They may have also been distracted by the prevailing thoughts of their day. Why stop to help? That may be a trap! Why stop to help? He probably got what he deserved!
Distractions can keep us from the call of God. We may think we’re living out the call, but we’ve forgotten the true call of God. The Samaritan remembered the true part. He exemplified the call of the Kingdom.
So much can call out to distract! It can be “good things.” It can just be menial things. We allow our time to get eaten up by mundane tasks. We miss those opportunities to live out the power of Kingdom.
Remember the “good part.” Remember to proclaim what you have learned. Remember to demonstrate the goodness of the Kingdom as well. And work to keep distractions to a minimum.
