So, here we are at the instructions. Jesus had picked his crew. He did not send them out unprepared. Before he let them go, he gave them a set of instructions – PR crew protocols, if you will. Jesus described circumstances they would encounter, but also gave them a way to act and things to say for each of them. Let's examine them.
Let us first list the circumstances they would encounter. They would go their ways: verse three. They would enter the homes of other people: verse five. They would find themselves in different cities: verse eight. They would encounter sick people: verse nine.
As to the sick, the seventy were instructed to heal them. The healings were performed in Jesus' name and were so successful that the seventy returned in verse 17 with “joy” and amazement. These were seventy ordinary people living and conducting their daily affairs in the name, that is in the stead, of the only begotten son of God.
About that Jesus said in verse 21, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes . . .” To which “things” did Jesus refer? He referred to the fact, and the seventy were amazed by it, that they knew for a fact, as per verse 17, that “even the devils” were subject to seventy ordinary people through the name of Jesus. The wise and prudent just didn't get it.
About the cities the seventy entered, Jesus gave these 'follower protocols' – if a city rejected them, as per verse 10 and 11, they were to go out into the streets and make a public proclamation for all to hear. The words were these: “Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.”
There was a real connection between the words and actions of the seventy and the concomitant judgment passed down from spiritual realms. The same people, the same message of truth, the same kingdom came to all the cities Jesus sent his followers to. Some cities rejected the messengers – in doing so they rejected Jesus and thus God. Mighty works of healing were performed in these cities no less than Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. Even the devils were subject to ordinary people of the kingdom of God. These cities saw it all and still rejected the kingdom.
As to the cities that received the seventy, the same communication of the kingdom went forth. “The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” However, there was an additional protocol regarding the cities that received them. The seventy were instructed to eat whatever was set before them. That was an issue for practicing Jews. Many of the cities between Jesus and Jerusalem were located in the region of Samaria, in the bacon belt. They were warned not to go from house to house as if they could pick and choose. They had to find one good household for their base of operations.
Then, there was the matter of their preparations and travel. They were instructed to prepare nothing. Carry no extras was the plan. All of their provision was to be found in the cities and homes that received them. As to each journey, we may consider two points. Either each pair was given a set destination, or else, each pair, when the were told “Go your ways”, was actually sent where they originated from. Home towns first. They were instructed to focus on the mission and not be distracted by folk they met along the way.
In that Jesus claimed they were lambs among wolves, I am impressed with his genuine concern. These were the 'babes'. They were humble, simple folk who, in their zeal and love for Christ, had garnered a place near and dear to him. The road can be a dangerous place.
Finally, Chorazin mentioned with Capernaum and Bethsaida, one of three cities cursed by Jesus, was only an hour walk north of Capernaum. While no Bible expert seems quite certain which of the 'mighty works' were performed in Chorazin, some possible miracles may have included the healing of the leper, the healing of the man with the withered hand, and the raising to life of the daughter of Jairus.
This study does seem to sprawl, with its many overlapping concepts, but there is definition to be found. We may also find definition of self. Many of us, you and I included, are humble, zealous, ordinary people. We love Christ; we share our love. You and I are one with the messenger of God, one with the messenger of the kingdom. This, then, is the definition. We are the message; we are the kingdom.
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