Luke 10:12-16

Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.

Recall yesterday’s passage, Luke 10:8-12, and Jesus’ instructions to the seventy-two disciples. Then begin with verse twelve and read today’s passage, Luke 10:12-16.

From the point in Luke’s Gospel when the glory of God was visibly revealed in Jesus on the mountaintop, Jesus’ language becomes more urgent – and at times harder to understand. As he instructs the seventy-two he begins to prophecy about the past and the future.

He references Sodom, a city that was supernaturally destroyed due to the total wickedness of its inhabitants almost 2000 years before Jesus was born (Genesis 19:1-29). But even they, Jesus says, will be better off in the end than any town in Israel that rejects the Good News of God’s Kingdom.

The people of Israel have an advantage that the people of Sodom did not – God in the flesh is among them. Jesus came to gather God’s people back to God so they could live out their divine mandate to go and be a blessing to all the families of the earth. But even after the major miracles of healing and provision in the Israelite towns of Korazin and Bethsaida, the majority of the townspeople continued to disregard Jesus.

Take a moment to become still. Breathe deeply and notice the presence of Jesus with you. When you feel centered, consider the ways God has “shown up” in your life over the years. As thoughts come, share them with Jesus. Stay with this for a while before you go on.

Read Luke 10:12-16 again.

Tyre and Sidon were port cities north of Israel, and from Mark’s Gospel, we know that people from these Gentile towns traveled a great distance to hear the teachings of Jesus (Mark 3:7-8).

Jesus ministered extensively in the town of Capernaum and probably resided there from time to time in the home of Peter.

The point of these references is that people are not automatically included in the people of God simply by virtue of location or lineage. The community of Jesus is a community of those who listen to the voice of Jesus and follow him in faith.

As you end this time of reflection, meditate on these words from the author of the letter to the Hebrews:

“Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” - Hebrews 3:12-15

What are you hearing from Jesus today?

How will you respond?

Subscribe here to receive these guided meditations free by email Monday-Friday each week. If you find these meditations helpful, please forward them to a couple of friends.

The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.