Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament gospel narrative of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as it was written and recorded by the beloved physician Luke. More specifically today’s passage is found in the first twenty-four verses of the tenth chapter. “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray hey therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall reset upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 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. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city” (Luke 10:1-12). “Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. He that heareth your heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me” (Luke 10:13-16). “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:17-20). “In that hour Jesus rejoice in spirit, and said, 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: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have no seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them” (Luke 10:21-24). When you come to the tenth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the physician Luke you will be brought to the second of two instances when the Lord sent out ambassadors and emissaries for the kingdom of God. If you turn and direct your attention to the words which are found in the ninth chapter you will find Jesus calling the twelve disciples whom He would ordain and appoint as apostles unto Himself. It would be in His presence the Lord Jesus would give them power and authority over every unclean spirit and over all sickness and disease. Within the opening verses of the ninth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke you will find a powerful narrative of the Lord Jesus ordaining and appointing twelve disciples whom He would send out before His face into every city, every town and every village within the regions of Galilee and Judaea. Oh how absolutely incredible it is to read the words which are found in the ninth chapter of this gospel narrative for within it we are brought face to face with the Lord Jesus ordaining, appointing and raising up twelve men whom He Himself would give power and authority—even before the Holy Spirit would be released and poured out—to engage in a powerful work of destruction and devastation against and upon the kingdom of darkness during those days. What a truly and awesome reality is found in this particular portion of Scripture for up until that point the Lord Jesus Himself would heal the sick, would cleanse the lepers, would raise the dead, would cast out unclean spirits and would preach the gospel of the kingdom of God unto the lost sheep of Israel. At this particular point, however, the Lord Jesus would ordain and appoint twelve disciples whom He would call unto Himself and ordain as apostles whom He would send forth in the midst of the land during those days to carry out and continue the ministry which He Himself was ordained and appointed to do among men in the midst of the earth. I sit here today thinking about and considering the words which are found in this passage of Scripture and I can’t help but be brought face to face with the wonderful and incredible truth concerning the Lord Jesus ordaining and appointing twelve men whom He would personally give power and authority. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for we know that the Holy Spirit descended upon the physical person of the Lord Jesus in the bodily form of a dove at the Jordan River after He had emerged from the waters of baptism. We know that Jesus would return from the Jordan full of the Holy Spirit before being led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit where He would be tempted of the devil. We know that Jesus would return from the wilderness in the power of the Spirit unto Galilee and that when He was present in the synagogue of Nazareth he would declare the words which the ancient Hebrew prophet Isaiah prophesied concerning the anointing and sending of the Spirit were directly fulfilled in their presence during those days. It would be there in the midst of the synagogue within the town of Nazareth the Lord Jesus would declare of the Spirit that He had anointed Him to preach the glad tidings of the kingdom unto the poor and that the same Spirit had personally sent Him into the midst of the land to heal, to deliver and to bring about a mighty and powerful work of the kingdom in the midst of the earth. It would be there in the synagogue of Nazareth of Galilee the Lord Jesus would declare unto all those who were present how the Spirit had anointed and sent Him for a very specific work which was to be fulfilled and completed during those days. Oh this is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous and wonderful reality of the power, the fullness and the anointing of the Holy Spirit within and upon the person of the Lord Jesus. Within the fourth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician we not only read of the fullness of the Holy Spirit and we not only read of the leading of the Holy Spirit but we also read of the power of the Holy Spirit as well as the anointing of the Holy—all within and upon the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this particular truth for within the fourth chapter of this New Testament gospel we encounter the person, the presence and power of the Holy Spirit within and upon the Lord Jesus Christ. It would be there in this chapter found within the gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke we find the activity of the person and presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. There in the fourth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke we encounter and come face to face with the person, the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit within and upon the Lord Jesus and it would be the person, presence and the power of the Holy Spirit that would enable the Lord Jesus to carry out and complete the work whereunto He was ordained and appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ. It would be the person and power of the Holy Spirit within and upon the Lord Jesus that would enable the Lord Jesus to carry out and fulfill that work for which He had been ordained and appointed by the Father. What’s more is that it would be Jesus Himself who would speak of His casting out unclean spirits by the finger of God which would also be referred to within the gospels as the Holy Spirit. Oh we must not make any mistake about this particular truth for we must needs recognize that the Lord Jesus was indeed ordained and appointed by the Holy Spirit to carry out and complete the work(s) whereunto the eternal Father had sent Him into the earth. What we have a great need of recognizing and understanding when reading the words found in the ninth chapter of this New Testament gospel narrative is that while it was indeed true that Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit and that He personally experienced the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit He would personally give power and authority unto the disciples whom He would ordain as apostles during those days. Within the ninth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke we encounter and are brought face to face with the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God giving power and authority unto these twelve men whom He would send forth unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. These twelve men would receive power and authority—even before the Lord Jesus would emphatically declare and proclaim unto them that they would receive power after that the Holy Ghost would come upon them. Pause for a moment and consider the fact that what we find here is something entirely different from that which the Lord Jesus would speak unto the disciples and His followers prior to ascending unto the right hand of the Father in heaven. In the final chapters of the New Testament gospel narratives written by the apostle Matthew, John Mark and the beloved physician Luke as well as in the first and opening chapter of the New Testament book of Acts we find the Lord Jesus declaring and proclaiming unto His disciples and followers that they would receive power after the Holy Spirit would come upon them and would instruct them to tarry and abide in the midst of the city of Jerusalem until they be endued with power from on high. In fact I would dare say that before we continue any further in this particular writing we must needs carefully consider the following words which are found in these passages of Scripture beginning with the words presented in the twenty-eighth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew: “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of th world. Amen” (Matthew 28:16-20). “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upgraded them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; IN my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat down on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mark 16:14-20). “And as they thus spake, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen” (Luke 24:36-52). “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you; as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained” (JOHN 20:19-23). “The former treatise have I mad, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after that he thought the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, it is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shal be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:1-11). “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaean? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine” (Acts 1:1-13). It is absolutely necessary we recognize and pay close attention to the words which are found in these passage of Scripture for within them we find the Lord Jesus speaking unto the disciples concerning His departure from the earth. Prior to the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ unto the right hand of the Father which was in heaven He would speak of the disciples themselves receiving power from on High as they would be endued with power according to the person of the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus would breathe upon His disciples and command them to receive the Holy Ghost and would emphatically declare unto them that they would receive the promise of the Father which was indeed the Holy Ghost—that which would enable to carry out and continue the work which He had begun while walking among them as the Word made flesh. For three and a half years Jesus would journey throughout the cities, towns and villages within the regions of Galilee and Judaea. For three and a half years the Lord Jesus would heal the sick, would cleanse the lepers, would raise the dead, would drive out unclean spirits, would give sight to the blind, would raise the lepers up, would restore hearing to the deaf, would open the mouths and loose the tongues of the deaf and so much more. During those three and a half years Jesus walked among us as the Word made flesh and dwelt among us he would indeed engage Himself in the works of the kingdom of heaven which had been ordained and appointed unto Him by the Father which was in heaven. The four gospel narratives provide account after account of the Lord Jesus journeying throughout the regions of Galilee and Judaea teaching and preaching in their synagogues the wonderful news and glad tidings of the kingdom of heaven. That which we find in the final chapters of the four gospels as well as what we find in the opening chapter of the book of Acts are powerful descriptions of the disciples and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ receiving the person and presence of the Holy Spirit. What’s more is that when you consider the words which are found in the second chapter of the New Testament book written by the beloved physician Luke you will find that it wasn’t just the eleven original disciples plus the newest addition who would receive the power, the presence and the person of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. If you turn and direct your attention to the second chapter of the New Testament book of Acts you will find that there were a total of one-hundred and twenty souls present in the upper room who would receive the promise of the Holy Spirit as they would not only be filled with the Spirit but would also speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. It wasn’t merely twelve apostles who would receive the promise, the person, the presence and and the power of the Holy Spirit but it would be ten times that number who would actually receive the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. This is even more intriguing when you take the time to think about it for in the four gospel narratives you will find the Lord Jesus not only instructing them to tarry in the city of Jerusalem until they be endued with power from on High but also breathing upon them and commanding them to receive the Holy Spirit. Not only this but on the same mountain where the Lord Jesus had appointed the eleven apostles He would emphatically declare that all power and authority in heaven and on earth was given unto Him. It would be based on this He would send them forth as His witnesses teaching and baptizing men and women in the name of the Father, and in the name of the Son and in the name of the Holy Spirit. I sit here today thinking about and considering the words which are found within these passages of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the tremendous and incredible truth surrounding the words which the Lord Jesus would indeed speak unto His disciples and followers concerning their receiving the power, the person and the presence of the Holy Spirit. It would be while the Lord Jesus was still present among the disciples prior to His ascension that He would indeed speak unto them concerning the person, the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit which would come upon them. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the incredible and wonderful truth surrounding the impact and influence of the Holy Spirit within and upon the lives of the apostles of Christ as well as those who walked with and followed Him. What’s more is that when you read the ninth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke you will find Jesus calling the twelve disciples together and giving unto them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases. Oh please pay close attention to this and how absolutely incredible it is for within it we are brought face to face with a time during those three and a half years when the Lord Jesus would ordain and appoint these twelve men was ambassadors and emissaries for and unto the kingdom of heaven in the midst of the earth. Jesus would give the twelve disciples power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases before sending them out into the midst of the cities, the towns and villages which were present within Galilee and Judaea. What makes this all the more intriguing when you take the time to think about it is Scripture is unclear where the apostles went after being given power and authority from the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture does not tell us where these disciples went after being given power and authority by the person of the Lord Jesus Christ nor even how long they actually went out actively engaged themselves and carried out that which the Lord had ordained and appointed them. I have to admit there is something absolutely and incredibly intriguing when you take the time to think about this particular truth for it calls and draws our attention to what we find in the tenth chapter of the New Testament gospel written by the beloved physician Luke. In fact I would dare say that before we delve into the tenth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative which was written by the beloved physician Luke concerning seventy others whom Jesus would also give power and authority to go forth as ambassadors and emissaries for the kingdom of God we must needs consider the language surrounding the appointing and ordaining of the twelve disciples whom Jesus would give power and authority over all unclean spirits and to cure diseases. Within the tenth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew as well as within the ninth chapter of the New Testament and the sixth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by John Mark you will find the Lord Jesus not only ordaining and appointing the twelve disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ being ordained and appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ to go forth as ambassadors for the kingdom of heaven but also being given power and authority by the Lord Jesus to drive out unclean spirits and to cure all manner of sickness and disease. There is a great need to recognize and understand the words which are found within these passages of Scripture for they call and bring us into the place where we recognize and understand just how the Lord Jesus Christ ordained and appointed the twelve disciples whom he would ordain as apostles which would carry out and continue the work which he Himself had begun in the midst of the earth. Oh that which the disciples would carry out and continue would indeed be the good work which the Lord Jesus Christ had begun unto and among those who were present in the midst of Judaea, Jerusalem and Galilee. It was indeed true that the Lord Jesus would begin a good work during those days as He would teach and preach the gospel of the kingdom of heaven and would heal, deliver and cleanse but He would also ordain and appoint others who would continue that work: “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:35-38). “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and batholomew; Thomas, and Mathew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddeus; Simon the Canaanites, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any of the city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your pace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:1-16). “And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; and commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: but be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide til ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them” (Mark 6:7-13). “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure disease as. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where” (Luke 9:1-6). “And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida” (Luke 10:10). The words and language we find within these passages of Scripture are absolutely incredible when you take the time to think about and consider them for they bring us face to face with the incredible truth surrounding these twelve man who walked with and followed Jesus and how He would ordain and appoint them as apostles in the midst of the regions of Judaea and Galilee. There is absolutely no denying the words and language that is found in these passages of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the beautiful truth surrounding Jesus beginning the work of healing the sick, cleansing the sick, raising the dead and teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom of heaven unto and among all those within the region of Galilee and Judaea. We must needs pay attention to the words which are present within these passages of Scripture for they call our focus to the reality of the Lord Jesus ordaining and appointing the twelve disciples whom He would send forth as apostles in the midst of the towns, cities and villages within the regions of Judaea and Galilee as an extension of the work(s) and ministry which He Himself had carried out during those days. How absolutely wonderful and incredible this truly is when you take the time to consider it for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the ordaining and appointing of the twelve disciples who would also be called apostles. How absolutely beautiful and wonderful these passages truly are for what would indeed begin with the Lord Jesus Christ healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, driving out unclean spirits, raising the dead, raising up the lame, giving sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf and much more more would now be carried out by His own disciples whom He would send before His face into the cities, towns and villages—and not only into these places but also into houses and homes. I am absolutely convinced there is a great need to read the words present in these passages of Scripture for what we find within them call and bring us into the place where we recognize and understand the Lord Jesus ordaining and appointing these twelve men as apostles which He would send forth into the midst of the cities, towns and villages which were present within the regions of Galilee and Judaea during those days. These verses and passages are absolutely astounding when you take the time to think about and consider that Jesus would send forth twelve men into what would be the land of Israel during those days. What’s more is that we must needs recognize that this would not be the first time there would be twelve men who would be sent forth into this land. If you turn and direct your attention to the thirteenth chapter of the Old Testament book of Exodus you will find the living and eternal God giving command unto Moses to separate twelve men—one from each of the twelve tribes of Israel—to go forth as spies that they might scout out the land of Canaan. Oh this is something which we must needs recognize and understand for when Jesus would give unto the twelve apostles power and authority over unclean spirits and over every sickness and disease and send them forth into the midst of the land it would be the second time twelve men would be selected and sent into the midst of the land. In fact I would dare argue and contend that what we find in the ninth and tenth chapters of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the physician Luke would indeed carry some incredible similarities to the words and language we find in the Old Testament books of Exodus and Numbers. It is in these two Old Testament books where we read of the living and eternal God commanding Moses to choose twelve men—one from each of the twelve tribes of Israel—that he might send them forth into the land of Canaan ahead of the congregation of the children of Israel that they might scout and spy out the land. These twelve spies would not be given power and authority like what we find in the gospel narratives written concerning the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, however, they would indeed go forth as scouts and spies for the children of Israel that they might know and understand that which was before them in the land. Oh with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the thirteenth chapter of the Old Testament book of Numbers beginning to read with and from the first verse: “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them. And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel. And those were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur. Of the tribe of Simeon, Snapchat the son of Hori. Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph. Of the tribe of Ephraim, O’Shea the son of Nun. Of the tribe of Benjamin, Patti the son of Raghu. Of the tribe of Zebulun, baddies the son of Sodi. Of the tribe of Joseph, namely, of the tribe of Manasseh Gaddi the son os Susi. Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli. Of the tribe of Asher, Seth’s the son of Michael. Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vosphsi. Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi. These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehohshua. And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain: and see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; and what the land is that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; and what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the first ripe grapes. So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath. And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahriman, Sheshai, and Talmai the children of Ana’s were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) And they came unto the book of Eschol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs. The place was called the book Eshcol because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence. And they returned from searching of the land after forty days” (Numbers 13:1-25).

“And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to call the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kaddish; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with Malik and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Ana’s there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. And Caleb still the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight” (Numbers 13;26-33). I am absolutely convinced there is a great need to recognize and pay attention to the words which are present within this passage of Scripture for during the days of Moses and the congregation of the children of Israel there would be another twelve men who would be called and chosen for the purpose of God in their generation. These twelve men would indeed be called and chosen by Moses—one from each of the twelve tribes of Israel and each one a ruler among their individual tribe—that they might enter into the land of Canaan before and ahead of the congregation of the children of Israel. Important to note is that they weren’t instructed to enter into the land of Canaan with swords drawn, and shields, and spears and bow and arrows that they might confront the enemies and adversaries which were present in the midst of the land. These twelve men were called and chosen that they might enter into the land and bring back report into the congregation of the children of Israel concerning the nature and condition of the land. These twelve men were indeed such who were called and chosen to be those who would move throughout the land watching and observing that which would take place in the midst of it. Not only this but these twelve men were to bring back report concerning the land, concerning the inhabitants and concerning the cities and what the children of Israel should indeed expect should they enter into the land as a great and mighty company and host to dispossess the inhabitants of the land and take possession of it as the LORD God had spoken unto Abraham, unto Isaac, unto Jacob and even unto Moses. With this being said I find it absolutely necessary to call your attention to the words which are found in the tenth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke. It is in this particular passage of Scripture we find the Lord Jesus ordaining and appointing seventy others whom he would send before His face into the cities, into the towns and into the villages within the region of Judaea and Galilee. It would be the Lord Jesus who would ordain and appoint seventy others separate from the twelve disciples whom he had already given power and authority over unclean spirits and to cure diseases. The Lord Jesus would ordain and appoint seventy others whom he would send before His face into the cities, towns and villages two prepare them for His coming and arrival. He had already called, chosen, ordained and appointed his twelve disciples whom he had given power and authority over unclean spirits and over all sickness ahead of Him and before His face. Now we find Him ordaining and appointing another seventy which would bring the total of all those whom he would send forth before His face to eighty-two. Pause for a moment and consider how it would initially be the Lord Jesus who would heal the sick, who would cleanse the lepers, who would drive out unclean spirits, who would raise the dead, who would preach the gospel of the kingdom and who would restore sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf. Now things would be entirely and altogether different for the Lord Jesus would have eighty-two individuals whom He would give power and authority that He might send them forth into the midst of the land of Israel. Although the land of Israel would during those days be divided into Judaea and Galilee we must needs recognize and understand that just as Moses sent forth twelve men into the land of Israel before it was the land of Israel so would the Lord Jesus send forth twelve men into that same land teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom as well as healing the sick, cleansing the sick, raising the dead and casting out unclean spirits. Oh the more I read and study the words found and contained within this passage of Scripture the more I am brought face to face with the incredible and wonderful truth surrounding the seventy others whom the Lord Jesus would ordain and appoint as ambassadors for the kingdom. It is in the tenth chapter of the gospel written by Luke alone where we find the account of these seventy others whose names we are not given and whose identities are concealed. What a truly and incredible truth it is to read the words found in this passage for whereas in the ninth chapter we are given the names of the twelve apostles whom Jesus would ordain and appoint we are not given the names of these seventy others whom Jesus would ordain and appoint. Essentially these individuals were given power and authority by the Lord Jesus Christ and were sent forth as ambassadors before His face and yet we aren’t even given their names. The only thing we know about these seventy others is that they were ordained and appointed and sent forth by the Lord Jesus and that they would return unto Him rejoicing that even the unclean spirits were subject to them by and through His name. These seventy others would essentially be a nameless and faceless group of ambassadors for the kingdom who would be sent forth to carry out and continue the very same work the Lord Jesus Himself had begun and which He had ordained and appointed the twelve disciples to continue and carry out. The Lord Jesus would ordain and appoint twelve men whom he would send forth as apostles and yet now we find the Lord Jesus sending forth another seventy also with a similar calling, a similar mission and similar assignment. Oh that which makes this truly unique and powerful when you take the time to think about and consider it is that it wouldn’t be the disciples themselves who would be given this mission and assignment from the Lord Jesus. The disciples of the Lord Jesus would indeed walk with and follow Him personally and intimately and would be sent forth as ambassadors and apostles, however, there was a whole other group whom Jesus would send forth into the midst of the land. Having said and written this I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the following words which are found in the tenth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke. It would be in this particular passage we find seventy others whom Jesus would ordain and appoint as ambassadors for the kingdom—those whose names we do not learn and whose names we will never know this side of eternity. These men (and perhaps even women) were given power and authority by the Lord Jesus to heal the sick, to drive out unclean spirits, to cleanse the lepers, to raise the dead and to preach the glad tidings of the kingdom of heaven. Oh that we would recognize and understand this for it brings us face to face with something which mirrors what we find in the Old Testament book of Exodus. Not only this but it also shines a tremendous light on to what we find in the first and second chapters of the book of Acts as well as what we find in the fifteenth chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints. I am absolutely convinced we must needs recognize and pay close attention to this for it calls and draws our attention to another number found in the book of Acts—namely the one-hundred and twenty who were present in the upper room on the day of Pentecost—as well as the number which is found in the fifteenth chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthians—the number being five-hundred whom Jesus would indeed appear unto during those forty days after He had been raised from the dead. With this in mind I invite you to first and foremost consider the following words which are found in the tenth chapter of the gospel narrative written by Luke beginning with the first verse: “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor script, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto t hem, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out. Into the streets of the same, and say, 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. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city” (Luke 10:1-12). “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on Serpens and on scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:17-20). The words and language presented in these two passages must be carefully considered for that which Jesus would speak unto these seventy would be similar in nature and scope to that which He would speak unto the disciples themselves. You will recall in the ninth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew the Lord Jesus would proclaim that the harvest was truly was but the laborers were few. Not only this but the apostle Matthew would also recount the Lord Jesus also instructing and commanding His disciples to pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest that He would send forth laborers into the harvest. What’s more is that as you read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will find that just as Jesus had declared unto His twelve disciples that He sent them forth as lamb among wolves so also would He declare unto these other seventy that he would send them forth as lambs among wolves. Jesus would go on to instruct them to carry neither prurient, nor scrip, nor shoes and to salute no many by the way. Jesus would declare unto these seventy others that into whatsoever house they were to enter they were to first declare and proclaim peace upon that house. If the son of peace be present in the midst of the house their peace would rest upon it—if not their peace would return unto them again. This would be followed by the Lord Jesus declaring unto them that in the same house they were to remain eating and drinking such things as they give for the laborer was worthy of his hire. Jesus would further declare unto His disciples to go not from house to house and in whatsoever city they were to enter and they were received they were to eat such things as were set before them. What’s more is Jesus would then proceed to command them to heal the sick which were present within the city and home they entered and proclaim unto them that the kingdom of God had come nigh unto them. There is something absolutely incredible about the words we find in this passage of Scripture for within it we find Jesus appointing and ordaining seventy others whom he would send before His face into those cities, towns and villages wherein He would enter. Jesus would ordain and appoint these seventy others whose names we aren’t given or provided and He would send them ahead of Him into those cities, towns and villages He would enter into that they might not only proclaim peace and not only proclaim the manifestation of the kingdom of God but might also heal the sick. Jesus would send these seventy others ahead of His face and His person into those cities, towns and villages He would enter and they would proclaim the kingdom of heaven as having come nigh unto them. John the Baptist who was the prophetic forerunner and Messianic messenger had already been beheaded while in prison by Herod and now we find Jesus ordaining and appointing his twelve disciples whom he would send forth to heal the sick, to cleanse the lepers, to raise the dead, to cast out unclean spirits and to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God. Now we find the Lord Jesus ordaining and appointing these other seventy whose names we aren’t given and granting unto them power and authority in His name. We know that He would give them power and authority in His name for when they would return unto Him they would return again with joy saying and proclaiming that even the devils were subject unto them through His name. That which we find in this passage of Scripture is an incredibly powerful and beautiful picture of the power that is in the name of the Lord Jesus. These seventy would go forth according to the command and instruction of the Lord Jesus and would not only heal the sick but would also drive out devils in His name. This is worth mentioning for there is no mention in the words Jesus spoke unto the seventy concerning casting out devils in His name and yet we find them returning rejoicing with great joy because the devils were subject unto Him in His name. If there is something we must recognize and acknowledge when reading the words found in these passages of Scripture it’s what the source of the power and authority was for these other seventy. What’s more is I would dare say that this power and authority was also what was present in the lives of the twelve disciples and apostles whom Jesus would send forth into the midst of the cities, towns, villages and homes within Galilee. There is not a doubt in my mind that even when the disciples themselves went forth throughout the cities, towns and villages in the land of Galilee and Judaea they would cast out devils in the name of the Lord Jesus and would even heal the sick in the name of Jesus. Scripture reveals how Jesus gave power and authority unto the twelve disciples when he sent them forth and while it is true we don’t read of that taking place within the lives of the seventy others we find them returning unto the Lord Jesus rejoicing with great joy that the devils were subject unto them in the name of the Lord Jesus. These seventy others would indeed return unto the Lord Jesus—not merely rejoicing that they were able to exercise power and authority over unclean spirits and devils but because of the power that was in the name of Jesus. Oh if there is something we must acknowledge when reading these words it’s the incredible power that is found in the name of the Lord Jesus. These seventy others would indeed be sent forth by the Lord Jesus into the cities, towns and villages teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing the sick and would return unto Jesus speaking of an proclaiming the power that was in His name. Oh that we would read the words found in this passage of Scripture and would indeed come face to face with the power, the might, the authority and the strength that is present within the name of Jesus. Moreover it would be the Lord Jesus Himself who declared that if we asked any thing in His name He would do it if we asked in faith believing in our heart and not doubting. With all of this being said I find it absolutely necessary to draw your attention to another event which would take place within the life of Moses whom the LORD God would raise up to not only deliver His people out of their bondage, slavery and oppression within the land of Egypt but also lead them through the wilderness. It would be there in the wilderness where Moses would sit in the seat of judgment over the entire congregation of the children of Israel and would even be doing so when his father-in-law Jethro would come unto him. It would be when Jethro came unto Moses he would observe and notice the tremendous burden, weight and responsibility that was present upon the shoulders of Moses as he would be the sole judge for the entire congregation of the children of Israel. Having been the vessel and instrument used of the LORD to bring the children out of their slavery and the bondage and oppression of Egypt, and having been used of the LORD as the vessel to lead them through the waters of the Red Sea as well as through the wilderness he would now be thrust into a place where he would be the sole judge over the congregation of the children of Israel. It would be this particular reality which Jethro who was Moses’ father-in-law would observe and declare was not healthy, nor wise, nor even beneficial for Moses and the congregation of the children of Israel. It would be Jethro who would witness Moses sitting in the seat of the judgment over the whole congregation of Israel and hearing disputes and cases from the morning until the evening. Oh I would dare say that Jethro witnessed and observed this and perceived it as being too great a burden and weight upon the shoulders of Moses and that he would indeed burn himself out under the tremendous load of the people. What Jethro would do next is something that would help in the midst of the congregation of the children of Israel for Jethro would suggest unto Moses to appoint seventy elders and judges who would be over the congregation of the children of Israel whom they could come to first with their disputes. Anything that could be handled by them would indeed be passed up the chain to Moses who would hear the dispute and offer judgment in whatever matter was brought up. Consider if you will the following words which are written and recorded in the Old Testament book of Exodus concerning the appointment of these seventy elders who would be present in the midst of the congregation of the children of Israel: “When Jethro the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt; Then Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back, and her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershon; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land: and the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh: and Jethro, Moses’ father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God: and he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her. And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and dis obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent. And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD deliver them. And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them. And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat brea with Moses’ father in law before God” (Exodus 18:1-12). “And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the vending. And when Moses’ father in law saw all that he did to the people, He said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? Why sittest thou o thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God: When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely ware away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: and thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people liable men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of cities, and rulers of tens: and let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said. And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, and rulers of tens. And they judged the people at all seventy: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land” (Exodus 18:13-27). THOU WILT SURELY WEAR AWAY! THIS THING IS TOO HEAVY FOR THEE! THOU ART NOT ABLE TO PERFORM IT THYSELF ALONE! EVERY GREAT MATTER THEY SHALL BRING UNTO THEE! EVERY SMALL MATTER THEY SHALL JUDGE! SO SHALL IT BE EASIER FOR THYSELF! THEY SHALL BEAR THE BURDEN WITH THEE! IF THOU SHALT DO THIS THING…THEN THOU SHALT BE ABLE TO ENDURE! ALL THIS PEOPLE SHALL ALSO GO TO THEIR PLACE IN PEACE! Oh please don’t miss and lose sight of that which is found here in this passage of Scripture for within it we find Moses’ father in law Jethro witnessing and observing everything he did from the morning unto the evening and how he stood in the seat of judgment over and in the midst of the people. Jethro—having perceived everything Moses did—would declare unto him that what he was doing was not good for he would surely wear away. Not only this but Jethro would proceed to declare until Moses that this thing was too heavy for him and that he was not able to perfor it thyself alone. Moreover Moses’ father in law Jethro would instruct him concerning every great matter ought to be brought unto him but every small matter these whom were appointed would judge. Jethro would also declare unto Moses that this would be easier for him and that those who were appointed would indeed bear the burden with him. Furthermore Jethro would go on to declare if he he did this thing then he would be able to endure and all the people would go into their place in peace. Oh how absolutely incredible this truly is for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous and incredible truth surrounding the advice which Jethro gave unto Moses that he might have those appointed who would be able to help him bear the burden and the load of that which he sought to carry upon his shoulders alone. Jethro realized that Moses did indeed attempt to carry this burden alone and all by him self and sought to provide him with counsel to appoint others who would help him carry the load and shoulder the burden of more than six million children of Israel whom Moses had led out of the land of Egypt and led through the wilderness up to this point. I firmly believe we must needs recognize and understand this for while it was indeed true that Jesus was the eternal and only begotten Son of God and while it was indeed true that He was full of the Holy Spirit and that He was clothed and endued with the power of the Spirit the work which before Him was such that He perhaps could and would not shoulder and carry alone. If there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand it’s that while Jesus was indeed one-hundred percent divine and fully God in the flesh He was also one-hundred percent men and very much present in the flesh. It was the apostle John who declared that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and it was the author of the epistle written unto the Hebrews who would speak of Jesus taking on the seed of Abraham and becoming flesh and blood among us. This is something we must needs recognize and pay close attention to for it calls and draws our attention to the fact that even though Jesus was the eternal and only begotten Son of God He was still very much present in the flesh and very much fully human. With this being said I also realize there were countless times when Jesus would be very much present among the multitudes, the crowds and the tremendous number of people who gathered round about and before Him. Scripture reveals time and time again the Lord Jesus healing the multitudes and crowds and how there were at least two times when those crowds and the multitude was greater than four thousand not including women and children. There were at least two times when Jesus would feed the multitude and on one time it would be four thousand men not including women and children while on another occasion it would be five thousand men not including women and children. With this being said it is absolutely necessary that we recognize the tremendous weight, burden and responsibility that was upon the shoulders of Jesus as a man. It is indeed true that He was fully God in the flesh and that He was anointed by and filled with the Spirit, however, we must needs acknowledge the full burden of all the needs, desperation, cries, groans and the like present in the land during those days. As I prepare to bring this writing to a close I can’t help but think about the fact that when we come to the tenth chapter of the New Testament gospel written by Luke we now find the total number of those whom Jesus ordained and appointed as ambassadors for the kingdom of heaven being eighty-two—twelve disciples and seventy others. What makes this all the more interesting when you take the time to think about it is when you consider how in the first chapter of the book of Acts there were a total of one-hundred and twenty who were present in the upper room. Included among those one-hundred and twenty were the eleven apostles as well as with the women—at least Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and Mary the mother of Joses and Mary the mother of Jesus. What’s more is that we find that Jesus’ brethren were present in the upper room. Stop and consider the eleven apostles, the possibility of the seventy Jesus appointed, the three women mentioned in the eighth chapter of the gospel written by Luke, possibly Lazarus, possibly Martha, Mary the mother of Jesus, Jesus’ brethren and even the two men who journeyed on the road to Emmaus. There might have been at least ninety people who were mentioned by name and/or referred to within the gospels who could have made up the one-hundred and twenty who were present in the upper room. Consider the fact that while Jesus did in fact send out twelve disciples whom He would ordain as apostles there would be one of them who would be excluded from that number having betrayed Jesus and hanged himself. Take those eleven and add the seventy whom Jesus appointed and you have a vast portion of what might have been the one-hundred and twenty who were present in the upper room. There is a tremendous need to recognize the words which are found in this passage of Scripture and how although Jesus would heal the sick, although Jesus would raise the dead, although Jesus would cleanse the lepers and although Jesus would preach the gospel of the kingdom of heaven I firmly believe that He sought to enlist others to come alongside Him—and not just come alongside Him but also partner together with Him in being able to perform the work(s) of the kingdom of God within the earth. I would dare say that the harvest was truly plenteous and the laborers were few and while Jesus would indeed engage Himself in ministering among the crowds and the multitudes He would seek to raise up others who would not only join Him in the work but who would also continue and carry out the ministry after He was raised from the dead and ascended unto the right hand of the Father. Not only this but there are accounts of James and John seeing others not of their company who were casting out devils in the name of Jesus and even thought to rebuke them. We must needs recognize and understand that during those days it wasn’t merely Jesus who would teach and preach the gospel of the kingdom of heaven but He would ordain and appoint at least eighty-two who would teach and preach that gospel. During those days it wasn’t merely Jesus who would heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out unclean spirits but there would also be at least eighty-two others who would be engaged as ambassadors for the kingdom of God. What we must needs take from this is the declaration Jesus made when He declared that greater works than these would we do because He goes unto the Father. Not only this but it would also be declared that these signs shall follow the preaching of the word which means that we have indeed been called to be ambassadors for the kingdom of God in the earth. Oh that we would indeed be those men and women who would pursue the call of God that is placed upon our lives and that we would focus first and foremost on our names being written in heaven and that we would then focus on entering in by the narrow way as we deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus. We have indeed been called to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out unclean spirits and preach the gospel of the kingdom but we must needs make sure that our first and greatest priority is that our names are written in haven and that we are those who know and are able to minister first and foremost to the person of the Lord Jesus and to the Father who is in heaven.