Luke 10-12 (The Daily Walk Bible).

When we come to the Bible we have to try to interpret it properly. A part of that is figuring out what is prescriptive or descriptive. In other words, what is just describing what happened then, as opposed to showing us what is supposed to happen today. In addition, there may be things that are descriptive, but can still give us some insight for our day and age. Take Luke 10:1-12 for example. How do we interpret it? Was it just for the 72? Or is it for us today? What can it teach us?

I think the study “Experiencing God” is a good example of these verses in action. We look for where God is working, and we join Him in that work. When people don’t want to hear we move on, and wait for a time when it seems they are open to the gospel.

What about Luke 12:10? What does it mean? Here is some insight from The ESV Study Bible:

“Key to understanding this passage is the distinction Jesus makes between, on one hand, the extreme case of blasphemy against ‘the Holy Spirit’ and, on the other hand, the lesser case of speaking in an dishonorable way against ‘the Son of Man.’ One who asks to be forgiven for disrespectful words hastily spoken against Jesus (the Son of Man) will be forgiven. (Note, e.g., Peter’s rejection of Jesus [see 22:54–62] and his subsequent restoration [John 21:15–19].) But blasphemy against the Holy Spirit—that is, the persistent and unrepentant resistance against the work of the Holy Spirit and his message concerning Jesus (cf. Acts 7:51)—this, Jesus says, will not be forgiven. The person who persists in hardening his heart against God, against the work of the Holy Spirit, and against the provision of Christ as Savior, is outside the reach of God’s provision for forgiveness and salvation. Christians often worry that they have committed this sin, but such a concern is itself evidence of an openness to the work of the Spirit.”