The other disciples of Jesus!

Luke 10:1-9

1 Later the Master selected seventy others and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. 2 He gave them this charge: "What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands. 3" On your way! But be careful-- this is hazardous work. You're like lambs in a wolf pack. 4 "Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage. " Don't loiter and make small talk with everyone you meet along the way. 5 "When you enter a home, greet the family, 'Peace.' 6 If your greeting is received, then it's a good place to stay. But if it's not received, take it back and get out. Don't impose yourself. 7" Stay at one home, taking your meals there, for a worker deserves three square meals. Don't move from house to house, looking for the best cook in town. 8 "When you enter a town and are received, eat what they set before you, 9 heal anyone who is sick, and tell them, 'God's kingdom is right on your doorstep!'

Food for thought!

The Lord selected seventy OTHERS and sent them. This statement is very revealing. It tells that Jesus worked and works, not only with the twelve apostles, but with many others. It is a gross misunderstanding to hold that the Lord worked with only the twelve; that the Lord works only with bishops and priests and nuns. In all times, even in ours, there are the OTHERS, nameless men and women chosen to help Jesus.

As the Gospel says, he "sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go." These people were chosen to represent Jesus. As we know, Jesus never could have been in 35 cities (35 pairs), in the short three years that lasted his ministry. He however, devised a way of multiplying himself, so much so that he did go to 35 places without going there! This is normally called delegation. It means that Jesus also delegated. Why? Because delegation multiplies us. It frees us up to do other things that are a better use of our time and talents.  I wonder what Jesus stayed doing when the 70 went out!

With the 70 others, Jesus teaches us some truths about delegation. First and foremost He is teaching us what we know: we dream alone but we never realize our dreams alone. We need a team. He also teaches us that besides bishops and priests and nuns, there many others working for Jesus.

In your professional life, do you ever imagine yourself as being part of Jesus' team, the others? Do you know that you're Jesus' delegate whenever you are and go? Do you realize that your ultimate manager is God? Do you ever talk to him about your job, asking him to send you more human resources, more financial resources, more customers, more opportunities? Do you listen when the Lord tells you what to do and how to do it? Do you ever pray at your workplace?

Jesus gave them this charge: "What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands."