Sent Ahead

Walking Where Jesus Will Soon Arrive
A Day in the Life of Jesus

Have you ever considered that when Jesus sends His disciples out, He is essentially asking them to prepare the way for His own arrival? That thought struck me deeply as I reflected on Luke 10:1-16, where Jesus sends out seventy disciples in pairs, instructing them to visit towns and places where He Himself planned to go. It is as if Jesus was saying, “Go ahead of Me, make ready the soil, and when I arrive, the harvest will already be stirring.”

This wasn’t just a casual mission; it was a sacred trust. Jesus chose seventy, symbolically echoing the nations of the world listed in Genesis 10. It’s as if He was reminding them—and us—that the kingdom of God is meant for all people, not just a select few. His instructions were precise yet deeply spiritual. Don’t take extra supplies, don’t waste time chatting along the way—just go, with urgency and trust. The harvest is ready, but the laborers are few.

Jesus made it clear that the work begins not with effort, but with prayer: “Plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers.” How often do we jump straight into action, only to find ourselves exhausted and ineffective because we didn’t start by praying? I’ve found that the most meaningful ministry moments in my life have been preceded by times of intentional prayer, asking God to send help, guide my steps, and open hearts before I even arrive.

I remember once being invited to speak at a community center in a neighborhood known for its skepticism toward churches. Instead of diving into preparation alone, our team dedicated weeks to prayer, asking God to soften hearts and bring more workers to that field. By the time we arrived, it was evident that God had already been at work. People we didn’t even expect were open to conversation, and connections formed that would have been impossible by human effort alone.

Jesus also prepared His disciples for the reality that their message wouldn’t always be welcomed. “I am sending you out as lambs among wolves,” He said. It’s a stark image—gentle, vulnerable messengers in a world that can be hostile to the truth. Yet, they were to carry on without fear, relying not on their own resources, but on God’s provision through the hospitality of others. He told them, “Eat what is set before you,” a lesson in humility and contentment. There’s wisdom here for us: ministry is not about comfort or preferences, but about embracing the hospitality and culture of those we serve.

And when healing the sick, the disciples were to announce, “The Kingdom of God is very near you now.” What a declaration! Healing was not just a compassionate act but a signpost pointing to the nearness of God’s reign. Imagine the hope that must have stirred in those who witnessed such healings—a tangible expression that God was breaking into their world.

Yet, Jesus also spoke of rejection. Some towns would refuse them, and when that happened, they were to shake the dust off their feet and move on, publicly declaring the closeness of the kingdom even to those who would not accept it. Rejection is hard, especially when sharing something as precious as the gospel. But Jesus reminds us that rejection of the messenger is ultimately a rejection of Him—and even more gravely, of the Father who sent Him.

There is an urgency in Jesus’ words, a reminder that the window of opportunity to respond to the kingdom is not indefinite. Cities like Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum had witnessed Jesus’ miracles but remained unrepentant. Their spiritual blindness brought a warning: access to divine truth comes with responsibility.

I think of what commentator N.T. Wright said: “When Jesus sends out his followers, they are to go ahead of him, preparing the way, and they are to speak and act in such a way that people will recognize something of Jesus in them, even before they see Jesus himself.” That strikes me to the core. Are people seeing a glimpse of Jesus in how I live, speak, and serve?

Another reflection I draw from this passage is that in God’s kingdom, there is no unemployment. Jesus didn’t just call the Twelve; He called seventy. The harvest is plentiful, and there is work for everyone. No one is sidelined in God’s mission. Whether you are a seasoned preacher, a quiet encourager, a faithful intercessor, or a generous giver, your contribution matters. As Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Let us not miss the pattern Jesus sets: Pray first, go with humility, minister in word and deed, receive hospitality graciously, and be prepared for both acceptance and rejection. Above all, remember that we are never merely working for Jesus; we are moving where He Himself will soon arrive. That changes everything.

Blessing:
May you walk today with the confidence of one sent by the Lord, knowing that where you go, Jesus intends to visit. May your heart remain open to divine opportunities, your prayers abundant for more workers, and your spirit courageous amidst both welcome and rejection. And may the nearness of God’s kingdom be felt in every word you speak and every deed you do.

For further reflection on discipleship and mission, visit: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/

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