The 72 men came back all excited about the things they had been able to do. Jesus told them to be glad because of all their names were written in heaven. Jesus rejoiced about what God was making happen and told the disciples they were witness to things many other righteous people wanted to witness but didn't. A teacher wanted to trap Jesus and asked Him who His neighbor is. Jesus answered with the parable of the good Samaritan. The Samaritan was the only one to help someone who lay beside the road injured. The others who passed by him were people who should have known better, but their own haughty beliefs prevented them from obeying God's commandment. After the story, Jesus asked the teacher which one from the story acted like a neighbor? The teacher told Him that the one who was kind did. Jesus told him to go and do the same. In one town a woman named Martha welcomed Jesus into her home. Her sister Mary couldn't tear herself away from listening to everything Jesus was saying. Martha was busy cooking, cleaning and worrying, and she resented Mary doing nothing to help her. Jesus told Martha there was only one thing to be concerned about and Mary had chosen well.
Jesus taught them how to pray. Jesus told them to knock and it shall be opened, ask and it will be given, and seek and they would find. Wouldn't you give your child anything you could? How much more then, will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. People said Jesus was the devil and tried to trick Him by saying He was a demon driving out demons. Jesus pointed out that a house fighting against itself cannot stand, and that it was the power of God which allowed Him to drive out demons. The only miracle people would get who demanded one was the miracle of Jonah. Even the Queen of Sheba traveled a long way to listen to the wise words of Solomon. Jesus told them that there was someone greater than Solomon or Jonah there with them. Make sure that there is no darkness in you. A Pharisee invited Jesus to eat with him. He noticed that Jesus didn't wash before eating. Jesus pointed out that they clean the outside, but not the inside. Jesus told them if they gave what was inside their cups and plates to the poor they would be ritually clean. They paid tithing, but neglected justice and love. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and teachers because they were all about what they could get, not what they could give. Because they admitted to approving of their ancestors killing the prophets, Jesus told them that they would be held accountable. He told them that they held the key to the door of the house of knowledge, but wouldn't open the lock. They wanted to trap Jesus even more.
Jesus told the 12 to be careful of the toxic yeast of the Pharisees. Then He told them that the only thing they needed to fear was God, because He could send their souls to hell. Even the hairs of your head are counted, so there is nothing to fear. Whoever publicly declares he is for Jesus, Jesus will do the same for him. The only unforgivable sin is to say evil things against the Holy Spirit. Jesus told the 12 that when they needed to defend themselves the Holy Spirit would guide them.
Tomorrow read Luke 12:13-14:11
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