Over To You
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, all authority in heaven and on earth is Yours. You are Lord and King of all.
Read Luke 9:1-9
[1] When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, [2] and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. [3] He told them: “Take nothing for the journey-no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. [4] Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. [5] If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” [6] So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. [7] Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, [8] others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. [9] But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Why do you think Jesus sent them out this way?The training period is over. This is the real thing. Imagine how the disciples must have felt when Jesus said that to them. How do you feel in the context of the commission that has been given to you and me?
Let’s have a look at the finer details of Jesus’ instructions. There were other traveling people out there, so the disciples needed to be scrupulous about how they behaved so they weren’t confused with those who were healing and teaching for money. What makes us distinctive from the “Create yourself a new life and become successful” courses in the marketplace today? Are we as distinctive for Jesus as we ought to be and want to be?
Their mission involved sacrifice (3). No big parade, no announcements, just an instruction from Jesus to go quietly and do what they were called and commissioned to do—and that’s exactly what they did (6). As a result, people’s lives, and the entire world began to be turned upside down and changed forever!
Apply
What makes you distinct from those around you? How can you carry out your commission from Jesus well?
Closing prayer
As you pray today, ask God to show you what others need to see as distinctive about you as one of Jesus’ people.
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