“Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke‬ ‭9:61-62‬ ‭

I find it interesting, right after Jesus lays out the COST of commitment to following Him, he sends 72 men out to get the harvest.

These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Luke‬ ‭10:2

There is no secret agenda… Count the cost, get to work, and go get the harvest.

In 10:2 it says the workers are few.. why are the harvesters few? Back in chapter 9 He calls out a demanding allegiance. Following Jesus costs everything…even our deepest, closest relationship. We aren’t fit for the Kingdom if we look back on what we’re leaving. We are useless to his Kingdom. (Luke 14:33-35)

Before Jesus sends them out in chapter 10, he is confronting, I think a common excuse for all of us- family, our close relationships. Jesus calls out even our last-ditch effort of excuses.

Then those 72 who counted the cost and were sent… it says Jesus sent them AHEAD, to all the towns and places he planned to visit.

The word AHEAD stands out to me. Before Jesus visits the towns and places, he sends his disciples ahead of him to heal the sick and announce the Kingdom of God is near. It seems easy to skim that portion as we read it, BUT I actually think this took great faith! Faith to believe Jesus is going to show up!

They obey and come back in joyful rejoicing as they discovered they have access to His full authority!

“…remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.” (‬10:3‬)‭‬‬ There’s a warning for them, Jesus doesn’t send them out blind. BUT among the wolves, in their obedience, they find a JOY. They have been given the authority to overcome all the power of the enemy. (10:19)