Numbers from Acts in Luke

It was our first day in Brussels. Longing to be a part of a great work of God in this city, I started reading Acts. Desiring also to include our friends and supporters in the adventure, I counted the NIV paragraph divisions to see how long it would take to read through the book together and found there were 72.

This reminded me of the 72 whom Jesus sent out in Luke 10. I felt like I could identify with this group – called and sent out to announce the Kingdom of God. I knew the story, or so I thought.

I had imagined Jesus sent this group out like I would have: in order to multiply His effectiveness. I thought, well, Jesus was a busy guy – certainly too busy to get to every little town – so He sent these people to places He didn’t have time to visit. They would speak on his behalf, heal one or two people, and wipe the occasional unresponsive town dust off their feet. Then Jesus could cross that town off the list. (I do like lists!)

But Luke says Jesus appointed these people “and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go!” (Luke 10:1) Suddenly the story took on new meaning. Jesus wasn’t sending them out instead of Him, to save time and maximize resources. He was sending them to places He intended to visit. They were preparing the way, letting everyone know that Jesus was coming!

This made all the difference to me as I thought of myself as one of the 72. I’m not here being sent out by Jesus to do something He doesn’t have time to do. I’m here to prepare the way! He’s coming! He’s going to visit Brussels in a new way and I get to announce it!

I immediately thought of the painting we have talked so much about: Christ’s Entry into Brussels in 1889 by Belgian artist James Ensor. (If you haven’t seen the painting yet, go to http://www.getty.edu/art/collections/objects/o932.html) It’s a fantastic crowd scene in which Jesus is entering Brussels, but being ignored by all but a few eccentric worshippers. As a member of this group of 72 (and a little odd, it must be said), I began to see myself as one of the few worshippers, called out of the crowd by Jesus and commissioned to run on ahead so that people would know He’s on His way!

Now, excited and a little nervous, I identified myself with the 72 in Luke 10, gathered around Jesus, ready to go, carefully listening for His instructions. Where do I go? What do I do? How will my needs be met? What if things go wrong? What’s the most important thing Jesus wants me to know?

I was stunned to read the first instruction Jesus gave: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field” (Luke 10:2).

But Jesus, here we are! Ready to be sent out! Why should we ask You for workers when we’re standing here right in front of You? Ah, I see: more workers! You want to send out more workers!

And that’s when we started praying for 72. Now, I don’t know if Jesus wants to provide exactly 72 or less – or more! I’m not even sure I know exactly what a “worker” is. Does a “worker” have to be a full time missionary? Does a worker have to live in Brussels?

Here’s my conclusion: Jesus wants to send workers into His harvest field in Brussels. Those workers might be full time missionaries and their children. They might be people who already live in Brussels who are willing to commit themselves to this task. They might be people who commit themselves to come on a short-term trip. They might be people who will never come to Brussels, but feel strongly that God would have them be supportive in significant ways.

I can see some of the workers around me now. Steve and Mary Elizabeth. Daniel and Russell and Jenny. Jon, Kristen, Leah, Mark, and Dan. Kevin and Anne. Stephen and Laura. Ed, Vesa, Nicci, David, Ben.

And many more. Please keep praying for workers. And let me know if you feel God prompting you to be one, whatever that means from where you live.