Luke 10:1-12

It was a question on QI: How many disciples did Jesus have? You can rely on Alan Davies to give the obvious but wrong answer – 12. Cue klaxons, disbelief and serious loss of pointage. Jesus appointed 12 ‘apostles’ – they are sent out as ambassadors. But they are not the only disciples nor are they the only ones ‘sent’ by Jesus. About some of them, we know little more than their names (and even then, it gets confusing). All we really know is their ‘twelveness’. There were twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus constitutes a new Israel, with twelve new patriarchs. But it seems that their twelveness was more symbolic than practical, given that we hear so little of some of them after the resurrection.

Here, Jesus sends out 70 (or 72 according to some texts) disciples. If an apostle is an ambassador, a disciple is an apprentice. (More than a student – they get on-the-job practical training, not just academic lectures.) Why 70? (Or 72?) Genesis (10:2-31) says that Noah was the ancestor of 70 families, who became the nations of the world. So, you could say that there were 70 nations that needed to hear the gospel. Whereas the Twelve were appointed as representative of Israel, perhaps the 70 are a picture of the mission to the gentile world. (The trouble is, Jesus sends the 70 out in pairs, so they would have to double up on countries.)

In the book of Numbers (11:4-32), Moses appoints 70 elders to assist in the onerous task of leading the people of Israel. God gives them the same spirit that he had given Moses. So perhaps that’s the picture here: the Spirit of God that was in Jesus is given to the 70 to reach out to the people who will constitute the new Israel.

The mission they – the 70 – are given is preparatory. They are sent ahead of Jesus to every town and place where he intended to go (Luke 10:1). What the people of those places need is Jesus himself. The 70 are to prepare the way, like 70 John the Baptists. They are told that there is a great need: the harvest is plentiful and they, the workers, are so few (v2).

They are told that their mission is in to hostile territory: they go like lambs into the midst of wolves (v3), or like learner drivers in the traffic. Discipleship is not a comfortable option. (The Revd Richard Coles says that people often say to him that they envy his faith – “It must be a comfort”. He says, “It’s more often a challenge than a comfort”.)

Their mission is urgent. They are to travel light and waste no time. Even the social norms of greeting folk along the way are set aside in the light of the urgency of their task (v4) – at the risk of causing offence. And so are the demands of religious dietary laws – “eat what is set before you” (vv7, 8).

They are to make what connections they can with people: they say, Peace to this house! And if there is a person of peace there, they will respond. If not, let it go. Life is too short – at least as far as this mission is concerned (vv5, 6). Their needs will be taken care of – hospitality is an important part of their culture – but they are not to be fussy or look for better accommodation (v7).

They are to speak and to do the gospel. Heal the sick (v9) and say:

“The kingdom of God has come near you.” Luke 10:9

Words and deeds are to go together. They speak peace and bring healing. These are signs that the kingdom of God is near.

Or, in the words of a quotation often attributed incorrectly to St Francis of Assisi:

Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.