Good Morning Friends,
Long before the Hebrews were gathering manna in the desert for their daily bread. Long before Jesus stood on the hillside outside Jerusalem to commission the disciples, he commissioned them in Galilee for a ministry with a message, a method and a means to satisfy their need to really live in the humility and glory of the best of life. They did not feel prepared to carry it out, but they stepped out in faith anyway. They, like those who supersize their meals at fast food joints today, those in the desert and I think also the disciples sought more. But they really had nowhere else could they go and had to go in faith with what they had. They had some successes and some failures. Such is the way of mission work. Such is the way of life. For here we discover there is no substitution for the planning of the Holy Spirit if we have faith. Yes, Jesus prepared them for the Christian life though a deep appreciation for the word made flesh in him all filled with emotion and faith. He gave them what they needed to start. Bu this morning we contemplate not just how Jesus prepared them and more specifically ask about us. So, How Is The Way You Have Been Gifted To Love And Be Loved Strengthening Your Call?
Scripture: Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or else he will rebuke you, and you will be found a liar. Two things I ask of you; do not deny them to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need, or I shall be full, and deny you, and say, “Who is the Lord?” or I shall be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:5-9 (NRSV)
Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.
Luke 9:1-6 (NRSV)
Message: I imagine you remember the first time you drove a car or the first day on a new job or your first date. There is a first time for lots of events and usually they are met with awe and wonder, but also with challenge and anxiety. There are times in all our lives when we must learn to do things on our own with God and at other times to do things collectively with God. We can watch others do it. We can look and say, “I can do that.” Yet, there is something in us that evokes fear, and fear brings nervousness even during the excitement and anticipation if we are not hearing the calling of Jesus in our behavior. I wonder if that is how the disciples felt the day Jesus called them and gave them the commission to launch out into ministry. He was not going to leave them alone in this but they may have felt alone never the less. Before Christ stood on the mountaintop to extend to his disciples the Great Commission, he gathered them around himself in Galilee and commissioned them for service in his Kingdom. As we read these words, we are tempted to think that this is a limited commission given to Jesus’ original disciples. Yet, there are eternal principles that we can discover here that will encourage and empower us to carry out the mission entrusted to each of us. Jesus commissioned the disciples with a message, a method and the means to fulfill the commission and we too are commissioned in this way. The message Jesus gave the disciples was a simple one: preach the Kingdom of God. In other words, preach about the Way of Jesus. We, too, are commissioned to preach the Kingdom of God. This is the message Christ has commissioned us to proclaim to the world. The simple message is that God’s salvation has come, is being manifested in us this moment and will be completed to the glory of God in our eternal hope of love. And we all are to be ministers sharing the good news. We all have been committed to affirm and proclaim through words and deeds. That is the method we have been given to accomplish the mission of transformation of the world. Words are imperative. Action is imperative. That is the connected method. And the means to accomplish this is through love empowered by the Holy Spirit gifted to us by Jesus in the dance of our lives.
And So, we are to love in a way that relieves pain. We are to give in a way that educates others to a better way. We are to preach in a way that recognizes that people are not to be objects of charity. Jesus gave the disciples the means to fulfill the mission. It is given through Jesus’ power and authority. And the Holy Spirit is the catalyst for the mission that is extended to us. We are to trust fully in God’s ability to provide for our needs. We are to have a faith in Jesus. Then we will see people transformed. Then we will see communities transformed. Then we will be transformed. Then we will see God’s creation transformed. We will see the Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven…and that is the message, the method and the means to love others in a way that makes a difference, for nothing brings hope like the love of Jesus.
Pray we live contently in the golden mean between the little and the great. Pray that we have daily bread and like the Manna in the desert, those who have much do not have too much and those who have little do not have too little. Pray that God rebuild our lives in a transformative way. Pray we not just say but also do things that glorify God in love. Pray we have the touch of a Christian. Pray we have the affirmation of a Christian. Pray we have the generosity of a Christian. Pray we have the service of a Christian. Pray we give the time to the cause of Christ in each of us. Pray we believe in transformation. Pray we do not succumb to the lies and deception of the world. Pray we become pure as the Word of God is pure. Pray we grow in the Wisdom of God. Pray we appreciate the name, nature, and perfections of Jesus. Pray we realize what really brings us joy. Pray we realize the truth. Pray we seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness believing that all we need will then be provided to us. Pray we live a life that brings health to others. Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit that we see beyond our weaknesses and failing to share the love of Jesus. Pray we realize that we have been given the authority to love others in a way that glorifies God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 