NOVEMBER 2 – Reading 306

by Rev James M. Armpriester, Jr | November 2

“SENT AHEAD!”
(Luke 10:1 – 12:59)

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”— Luke 10:2 (ESV)

At 33, I started my first church in Price Hill, Cincinnati, with no resources or experience. Brenda and I sold our home, moved to the area, and shared the Gospel with the community. Over time, we witnessed hundreds find faith, and we were able to establish a church, New Hope Family Worship Center.

God taught me so much! I learned that ministry rarely unfolds according to human plans. Sometimes God opens doors that no amount of planning could achieve; other times, He shuts doors to protect us from distraction or pride. Every step forward required faith — trusting that provision, people, and purpose would meet us as we went. Luke 10 reminds me that dependence on God is not just a virtue—it’s the lifeblood of ministry and mission.

In our reading today, we see that Jesus sent seventy-two disciples “ahead of Him” into every town and place where He was about to go. Their mission was clear: proclaim peace, heal the sick, and announce that the Kingdom of God has come near.  He taught us: 

1. The Harvest Is Plentiful:  Jesus didn’t say the harvest will be plentiful; He said it is. The problem isn’t with the harvest—it’s with the number of workers willing to go. Even today, the potential for people to encounter Christ is staggering, yet few step forward to labor in His fields.

2. The Laborers Are Few:  God doesn’t mass-produce ministers; He raises laborers through prayer. Jesus instructed them to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers. The Greek term ekballo means “to thrust out,” implying divine propulsion. True workers are called and compelled by the Spirit.

3. Dependence on God:  They were sent with no moneybag, no knapsack, and no sandals, forcing them to trust that God would provide through the hospitality of those who received them. Kingdom work always begins with faith in God’s provision—not financial security, skill, or status.

4. Two Outcomes: Acceptance and Rejection:  The disciples would face two responses—welcome or rejection.

• • Acceptance: “Peace be to this house.” When the message is received, peace and blessing remain.
  • Rejection: “Shake off the dust.” When the message is rejected, the responsibility shifts. The Kingdom still comes near, but its blessing passes to others who will receive it.

The shaking of dust was symbolic—a visible declaration that responsibility for response rests with the hearer, not the messenger.

Jesus modeled this same rhythm in His own ministry—sent by the Father, dependent on the Spirit, faithful in both reception and rejection. Later, Paul would echo this pattern: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:6). The outcome of the harvest never belongs to us. Our part is obedience; God’s part is increase.

Practical Application Points:

1. Pray for Workers. Don’t just lament the shortage—ask God to raise and thrust out laborers.
2. Go in Dependence. Trust that where God sends you, He will provide through unexpected channels.
3. Speak Peace. Enter every conversation, workplace, or neighborhood as a messenger of peace.
4. Stay Obedient in Rejection. Don’t measure success by response—measure it by faithfulness.

Reflection Questions:

1. Where has God sent you to labor in His harvest?

    

2. What fears or dependencies keep you from going?

    

3. How can you practically show peace to those who receive—or reject—you this week?

    

4. Are you praying daily for more workers in God’s harvest field?

Closing Prayer:
Lord of the Harvest, Thank You for inviting me into Your work. Help me to walk by faith, not fear; by dependence, not demand. Send me where You will, provide as only You can, and teach me to rejoice in both acceptance and rejection. May Your Kingdom come near through my obedience today. In Jesus’ name, amen.