"I am sending you out as sheep among wolves ... For I am with you." (Tim paraphrase)
This story in Luke is a flat out exciting one! Jesus made it clear that He was sending the disciples out on their own under His authority. He gave them amazing and immense power and ability to heal the sick, cast out evil spirits ... He enabled them to teach and preach with effectiveness. Without any financial support they went ... God provided support. There was no planned itinerary, no blueprints or action plans ... The Holy Spirit was to be their guide. No extra clothing or provision was to be brought along either ... The hospitality of others, prepared minds and hearts took care of that too.
Mind you, this was no far out adventure. But what a fantastic assignment this would be for these guys! But, we have to remind ourselves that these men haven't known Jesus all that well yet. And the disciples that went out had huge imperfections and failures. James and john, the 'Sons of Thunder' for a reason. And Peter, totally unpredictable and could probably cuss a whale of a blue streak for sure. And for Matthew, who probably enjoyed at least some luxury and comfort, this had to be some kind of demanding ordeal to look forward to. And of course Judas ... But Jesus didn't discard them but instead sent them out to do a job as He found them. It was Jesus Himself, by His Spirit which healed, Jesus who taught ...
It seems to me nowadays that many Christians want to operate in only one gift ... I'm an evangelist, I'm a teacher, doctor or prayer warrior, whatever. But here are people entrusted by Christ to fulfill the entire responsibilities of ministering completely to the body, soul and spirit! You know, upon thinking about it, this must rank as one of Jesus' greatest miracles! It essentially excites and captivates me as it shows what Jesus can do with anyone who is available to Him!
Just wanted to share ...
Tim, inspired by the writings of "apostlederrik"
Luke 10
Jesus Sends Out His Disciples
The Lord now chose seventy-two* other disciples and sent them on ahead in pairs to all the towns and villages he planned to visit. 2 These were his instructions to them: "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. Pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest, and ask him to send out more workers for his fields. 3 Go now, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Don't take along any money, or a traveler's bag, or even an extra pair of sandals. And don't stop to greet anyone on the road.
5 "Whenever you enter a home, give it your blessing. 6 If those who live there are worthy, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. 7 When you enter a town, don't move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide you. Don't hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.
8 "If a town welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you 9 and heal the sick. As you heal them, say, `The Kingdom of God is near you now.' 10 But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 `We wipe the dust of your town from our feet as a public announcement of your doom. And don't forget the Kingdom of God is near!'
16 Then he said to the disciples, "Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God who sent me."
17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, "Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!"
18 "Yes," he told them, "I saw Satan falling from heaven as a flash of lightning!
This story in Luke is a flat out exciting one! Jesus made it clear that He was sending the disciples out on their own under His authority. He gave them amazing and immense power and ability to heal the sick, cast out evil spirits ... He enabled them to teach and preach with effectiveness. Without any financial support they went ... God provided support. There was no planned itinerary, no blueprints or action plans ... The Holy Spirit was to be their guide. No extra clothing or provision was to be brought along either ... The hospitality of others, prepared minds and hearts took care of that too.
Mind you, this was no far out adventure. But what a fantastic assignment this would be for these guys! But, we have to remind ourselves that these men haven't known Jesus all that well yet. And the disciples that went out had huge imperfections and failures. James and john, the 'Sons of Thunder' for a reason. And Peter, totally unpredictable and could probably cuss a whale of a blue streak for sure. And for Matthew, who probably enjoyed at least some luxury and comfort, this had to be some kind of demanding ordeal to look forward to. And of course Judas ... But Jesus didn't discard them but instead sent them out to do a job as He found them. It was Jesus Himself, by His Spirit which healed, Jesus who taught ...
It seems to me nowadays that many Christians want to operate in only one gift ... I'm an evangelist, I'm a teacher, doctor or prayer warrior, whatever. But here are people entrusted by Christ to fulfill the entire responsibilities of ministering completely to the body, soul and spirit! You know, upon thinking about it, this must rank as one of Jesus' greatest miracles! It essentially excites and captivates me as it shows what Jesus can do with anyone who is available to Him!
Just wanted to share ...
Tim, inspired by the writings of "apostlederrik"
Luke 10
Jesus Sends Out His Disciples
The Lord now chose seventy-two* other disciples and sent them on ahead in pairs to all the towns and villages he planned to visit. 2 These were his instructions to them: "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. Pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest, and ask him to send out more workers for his fields. 3 Go now, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Don't take along any money, or a traveler's bag, or even an extra pair of sandals. And don't stop to greet anyone on the road.
5 "Whenever you enter a home, give it your blessing. 6 If those who live there are worthy, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. 7 When you enter a town, don't move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide you. Don't hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.
8 "If a town welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you 9 and heal the sick. As you heal them, say, `The Kingdom of God is near you now.' 10 But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 `We wipe the dust of your town from our feet as a public announcement of your doom. And don't forget the Kingdom of God is near!'
16 Then he said to the disciples, "Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God who sent me."
17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, "Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!"
18 "Yes," he told them, "I saw Satan falling from heaven as a flash of lightning!
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