5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'
Lord Jesus--I wonder what your thoughts were as you sent this motley crew out into a needy world. They did not have all the answers...in fact they really had so few. They knew what they had learned at your feet. Lessons about the reality of grace and the need to focus on relationships instead of legalities.
They had seen that relationships and people are more important than keeping the sabbath day observances. They watched as you struggled with the fact that meeting the needs of the people put you at odds with the very people that they thought you should be connected with...the religious leadership.
It was such a simple message that you sent them out with...a really short sermon. And yet the words which may be just the smallest snippet of the whole sermon was dead on...the Kingdom is near. Just as true today...
I also suspect that the message was also tied up with the miracles that you gave them authority to perform. The message was in the words and in the simple fact that these rabbis in training were able to do what even the elite of the religious establishment could not pull off.
8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Lord Jesus--I wonder what your thoughts would be on the national health care debate that is the current buzz right now. I am sure that you didn't ask for an insurance card or co-pay when you sent out your disciples. You were not looking to set up a medical practice or a exorcism practice. It rattles my sensibilities to realize that Judas was a part of the mix in raising the dead and cleansing those with leprosy. He saw so much and yet lost his soul.
9Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.
Lord Jesus--It is interesting what you told them not to bring. There is no need for packing in provisions for ministry, no need for hording or being compulsive about needs yet unexperienced. The mission should meet the need if it is where you are directing and calling.
This is the part that catches me at times, it is beyond my ability to control or manage. It is the essence of faith, to step where I am not sure what the results will be when my foot hits the ground. Faith is trusting even if the footfall ends up being a fall on the face, that you will use each step to Your honor and glory.
In this day that will begin in just a few hours, Lord Jesus give me the strength to trust you for the journey today.
Lord Jesus--I wonder what your thoughts were as you sent this motley crew out into a needy world. They did not have all the answers...in fact they really had so few. They knew what they had learned at your feet. Lessons about the reality of grace and the need to focus on relationships instead of legalities.
They had seen that relationships and people are more important than keeping the sabbath day observances. They watched as you struggled with the fact that meeting the needs of the people put you at odds with the very people that they thought you should be connected with...the religious leadership.
It was such a simple message that you sent them out with...a really short sermon. And yet the words which may be just the smallest snippet of the whole sermon was dead on...the Kingdom is near. Just as true today...
I also suspect that the message was also tied up with the miracles that you gave them authority to perform. The message was in the words and in the simple fact that these rabbis in training were able to do what even the elite of the religious establishment could not pull off.
8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Lord Jesus--I wonder what your thoughts would be on the national health care debate that is the current buzz right now. I am sure that you didn't ask for an insurance card or co-pay when you sent out your disciples. You were not looking to set up a medical practice or a exorcism practice. It rattles my sensibilities to realize that Judas was a part of the mix in raising the dead and cleansing those with leprosy. He saw so much and yet lost his soul.
9Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.
Lord Jesus--It is interesting what you told them not to bring. There is no need for packing in provisions for ministry, no need for hording or being compulsive about needs yet unexperienced. The mission should meet the need if it is where you are directing and calling.
This is the part that catches me at times, it is beyond my ability to control or manage. It is the essence of faith, to step where I am not sure what the results will be when my foot hits the ground. Faith is trusting even if the footfall ends up being a fall on the face, that you will use each step to Your honor and glory.
In this day that will begin in just a few hours, Lord Jesus give me the strength to trust you for the journey today.
Thank you for this, Curt. I feel God is calling us to something that would be a major life change. The details are still pretty sketchy and we don't know when. It seems like a crazy thing to give up 2 good jobs and move in this economy. It's easy to worry about the details. Instead, I need to trust Him and keep walking. If He is sending me, my needs will be covered.
ReplyDeleteEither way foot fall or face fall we are His. My hope is to land on my feet. But my faith is settled on the fact that no matter how I land I am His...and He can use me.
ReplyDeleteKim--Good to hear from you...let me know what the details are so I can pray for my PKA friends that appear to be on the move.Blessings--KB