After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 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. (Luke 10:1-3 ESV)
Two things stick out in this brief introduction. First, Luke says "the Lord" appointed the 72. There is a new realization as to who Jesus us, probably directly related to the Transfiguration. Secondly, He tells them to pray AND go, not pray OR go. We are all called on to go out into our world, and pray for more to go and tell as well.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Pretty clear...
"... But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:60 ESV)
Jesus made it pretty clear what He left us here to do...
Jesus made it pretty clear what He left us here to do...
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Foxes, Funerals and Farewells...
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”(Luke 9:57-62 ESV)
If you're playing Tribond, and these three things come up, what is the common theme? Counting the cost in following Jesus. There are many distractions and diversions to get us off the path - pleasures we have become too comfortable with, relationships that hold us closer than to Him, fears that run us off the path of faith. Jesus is not trying to scare us away, but to get us to seriously consider our response when He says: "choose Me."
If you're playing Tribond, and these three things come up, what is the common theme? Counting the cost in following Jesus. There are many distractions and diversions to get us off the path - pleasures we have become too comfortable with, relationships that hold us closer than to Him, fears that run us off the path of faith. Jesus is not trying to scare us away, but to get us to seriously consider our response when He says: "choose Me."
Friday, April 27, 2012
Still not listening...
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village. (Luke 9:51-56 ESV)
One of the many lessons to be learned from this paragraph can only be understood in the flow of things Luke has recorded for us. Less than a chapter ago, Jesus had taught his disciples how to deal with those who would not receive them. Dust off their feet and move on. Yet now, his disciples want to go further than He commanded. They were obviously frustrated: they had not been able to heal the demon-possessed boy without Jesus around; others could do things they could; now, they can throw their weight around because Jesus was there, and He says "NO." How prone we are to go beyond what Jesus has told us, to think we understand the "spirit" of what He says, and add our two cents worth. How much we want to prove we are more "special" compared to others, ignoring the fact that He has already shown us how special we are. Let's really listen to Him.
One of the many lessons to be learned from this paragraph can only be understood in the flow of things Luke has recorded for us. Less than a chapter ago, Jesus had taught his disciples how to deal with those who would not receive them. Dust off their feet and move on. Yet now, his disciples want to go further than He commanded. They were obviously frustrated: they had not been able to heal the demon-possessed boy without Jesus around; others could do things they could; now, they can throw their weight around because Jesus was there, and He says "NO." How prone we are to go beyond what Jesus has told us, to think we understand the "spirit" of what He says, and add our two cents worth. How much we want to prove we are more "special" compared to others, ignoring the fact that He has already shown us how special we are. Let's really listen to Him.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Not so hot...
John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”(Luke 9:49-50 ESV)
In the flow of things here the apostles have been all over the place emotionally. They had the thrill of going out and preaching and healing and seeing Christ's power work through them. They had a front row seat at the Grand Buffet, and then John had the privilege of viewing the transfiguration. But now, he and the others were not able to drive out the demon from a boy, while others were. The disciples are now feeling not so hot - nothing special. And how else would we feel special, but than to tear someone else down. Compare, compare, compare. Instead, Christ calls on us to be comrades in HIS work.
In the flow of things here the apostles have been all over the place emotionally. They had the thrill of going out and preaching and healing and seeing Christ's power work through them. They had a front row seat at the Grand Buffet, and then John had the privilege of viewing the transfiguration. But now, he and the others were not able to drive out the demon from a boy, while others were. The disciples are now feeling not so hot - nothing special. And how else would we feel special, but than to tear someone else down. Compare, compare, compare. Instead, Christ calls on us to be comrades in HIS work.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
True greatness...
An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”(Luke 9:46-48 ESV)
Jesus is so patient with us. Rather than yelling at the disciples for their arrogant arguing, He shows them the problem - they are focusing too much on themselves and not on others, like these children who are watching their bickering. In short, the greatest in HIS kingdom is the one who is most like Him. There is nothing else to discuss.
Jesus is so patient with us. Rather than yelling at the disciples for their arrogant arguing, He shows them the problem - they are focusing too much on themselves and not on others, like these children who are watching their bickering. In short, the greatest in HIS kingdom is the one who is most like Him. There is nothing else to discuss.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The Message in the Middle of the Miracle...
Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astonished at the majesty of God.
But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.(Luke 9:41-45 ESV)
When Jesus was rebuking them for their lack of faith, He slid in this question: "How long am I to be with you and bear with you?" The wonder of the miracle overshadowed that question, but He would not let it go unnoticed: "Let it sink in: I won't be her much longer." There was enough lack of detail to make them want to ask for more, but sadly, they were afraid to. May we not be afraid to ask. He has much He wants to tell us.
But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.(Luke 9:41-45 ESV)
When Jesus was rebuking them for their lack of faith, He slid in this question: "How long am I to be with you and bear with you?" The wonder of the miracle overshadowed that question, but He would not let it go unnoticed: "Let it sink in: I won't be her much longer." There was enough lack of detail to make them want to ask for more, but sadly, they were afraid to. May we not be afraid to ask. He has much He wants to tell us.
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