Singular Focus

A few weeks ago, I was in reading in the gospel of Luke , and was struck by the mission and the directness  in which Jesus sent out the disciples.   

“And he said to them, "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. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. 

-- Luke 10:2-12 

The first thing to make mention of, concerns the call to be laborers in the harvest.  Jesus often used agriculture metaphors to make a point.  Here he is laying out the issue: there are many who are ripe to receive the good news, but there aren’t many who will share and explain the good news.  

Jesus then sends them out, which I feel is a training mission and perhaps a bit of a test of their will and commitment.  He sends them not out into safety, but into the midst of a hostile environment.  These are men whom Jesus loves, but he does not put their lives above the mission of redemption.  

Lastly, he tasks them with traveling light and fast to each destination.  They are to rely on the kindness of those they encounter and they are not to dwell there for very long.  Proclaiming the truth that they have learned from Jesus is paramount, and putting down deep roots won’t spread the joy and hope of Jesus.  

So what does this mean for us today?  

In our daily walk with Christ, we are to be bold with the truth, fearless and focused, and prepared whenever the opportunity arises to help others take one step closer to Jesus.  

I pray that we all strive for such a singular focus.