DAY #105: Luke 9:1-17

Jesus had chosen twelve disciples for special training. The men had traveled with Jesus, observed him, and listened to his teaching. Now they were to take a more active part in Jesus’ ministry; they themselves would go out to tell everyone about the coming of the Kingdom of God. More than that, Jesus also gave them power and authority to cast out demons and to heal all diseases.

The disciples were to travel light. The urgency of their task required that they not spend time preparing for the trip. Besides, it was to be a short trip after which they would come back and report to Jesus. As disciples sent by God, they were to depend on him and on the people to whom they ministered to meet their needs. In addition, whatever home showed them hospitality was the home where they were to stay until they left that town. The disciples were not to offend their hosts by moving to a home that was more comfortable or socially prominent. To remain in one home was not a burden for the homeowner because there would only have been two together at a time and their stay in each community would be short.

The disciples were instructed to depend on others while they went from town to town preaching the gospel. This had a good effect: (1) it clearly showed that the Messiah had not come to offer wealth to his followers; (2) it forced the disciples to rely on God’s power and not on their own provision—they carried no outward symbols of authority, only the inward power that Christ gave them; (3) it involved the villagers and made them more eager to hear the message. This was an excellent approach for the disciples’ short-term mission; it was not intended, however, to be a permanent way of life for them. Jesus’ instructions pertained only to this particular mission, so this would not be a command for missionaries today. Different times and situations would call for different measures, both then and now.

The disciples could be sure of finding hospitality from some people, but Jesus told them to also expect places where they would not be welcomed. Jesus’ instructions for such a town was that as the disciples were leaving, they were to shake off its dust from their feet. Shaking off dust that had accumulated on one’s sandals showed extreme contempt for an area and its people, as well as the determination not to have any further involvement with them. Six teams of two began their circuit of the villages—perhaps going back to villages in which Jesus had already preached, or going where he did not have time to go. They went with Jesus’ authority and power—preaching the Good News and healing the sick.

The disciples needed rest; Jesus wanted quiet teaching time with them, but this was not to be. The crowds found out where he was going, and they followed him. Matthew wrote that they had gone by boat, and the crowds went on foot and met Jesus when he landed. Far from being upset by the interruption of their plans, Jesus welcomed the people, using the opportunity afforded by their interest to teach them about the Kingdom of God.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

The two highest priorities of my life must be to; 1) Reach people for Christ. Evangelism. 2) Equip and train people for Christ. Discipleship. Lord, help me about those two things every day of my life. Lord, whatever else I get done throughout the day, remind me, burden me with the truth that if I am not about these things I have missed the boat.

Jesus knew what his mission was. “I must be about My Father’s business.” Luke 2:29
At the end of His life, Jesus was able to say, “I have completed the work You gave Me to do.” John 17:4. I’ve got to know who I am if I’m ever going to be effective in ministry for Jesus Christ. That involves knowing my strengths. It involves knowing my weaknesses. It involves knowing my limitations.

One of the goals of our church is to help you make a difference with your life based on who God made you to be. If you don’t understand this principle you’re driven by insecurity in your ministry. As a result you tend to overwork, you’re hard on yourself, you’re hard on other people and it just doesn’t work out.

You know who you are by knowing whose you are. And knowing that God has given you specific gifts. 2 Corinthians 12:4-5 says, “God gives us many kinds of special abilities and there are different kinds of service to God. There are many ways in which God works in our lives but it is the same God who does the work in and through all of us who are His.”

Paul is simply saying here that you’re different. You’re unique. So your ministry is going to be different than any other ministry even if you’re in the same ministry as somebody else. God made every one us, like snowflakes, unique. Know who you are and whose you are. Lord, raise up men and women at COV who seek to find their giftedness and passion and then use those in the service of the Kingdom.