Multiplication is the name of the game
by Steve Liersch
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After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go (Luke 10:1).
Read Luke 10:1–11,16–20
I’ve always enjoyed mathematics, although I know that not everyone shares this sentiment. When my children were in primary school, we had a times tables chart inside the toilet on the wall facing the seat. All that time for them and anyone else who visited our house to learn or get a refresher course in multiplication. It isn’t until you get to 6 x 12 that we first encounter the number 72. That’s a lot for a kid to get their head around. Not for Jesus.
Often, we only think of Jesus having 12 disciples. Yes, there might have only been that number in his inner circle that we read and hear about, but there were more – lots more. By the time he was ready to give them one of their first practical exercises in sharing the good news about the kingdom of heaven, we learn from Luke 10 that there were 72 of them. Not only that, but even if the 12 disciples each took one more person, that would still total only 24.
Where did the other 60 come from? And who were they? And how did they get to be included in such a daunting task as going to neighbouring villages? How did they muster up enough courage to talk to strangers? And fancy not taking a purse, bag or sandals, not to mention not greeting anyone on the road, until they found a ‘house of peace’.
After the 72 returned with joy (verse 17), they reported that even the demons submitted to them in Jesus’ name. There’s the clue and the ‘glue’ that makes God’s ‘Great Commission’ possible. They, like us, go in Jesus’ name, speak about Jesus and go in the power of the Holy Spirit because he is with us all to the close of the age (Matthew 28:20).
Practise speaking about your friend and Saviour Jesus with someone you know, and see what the results may be as the Holy Spirit leads you. (Give it a bit of time to bear fruit, too.)
Lord of the harvest, you promise to be with me like you were with your first disciples. Give me the courage and willingness to speak of you as my Lord and Saviour to help your kingdom grow. In your name, I pray, Amen.
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