Good Morning Friends,
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 fulfill it. They did not feel prepared to carry it out, but they went anyway. Where else could they go? There had some successes and some failures. Such is the way of mission work. So, How Is The Way You Love And Are Loved Empowering Your Mission Work?
Scripture: At the evening sacrifice I got up from my fasting, with my garments and my mantle torn, and fell on my knees, spread out my hands to the Lord my God, and said, “O my God, I am too ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens. From the days of our ancestors to this day we have been deep in guilt, and for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been handed over to the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to utter shame, as is now the case. But now for a brief moment favor has been shown by the Lord our God, who has left us a remnant, and given us a stake in his holy place, in order that he may brighten our eyes and grant us a little sustenance in our slavery. For we are slaves; yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to give us new life to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judea and Jerusalem.
Ezra 9:5-9 (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: Do 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 and at other times to do things collectively. 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. I wonder if that is how the disciples felt the day Jesus called them and gave them the commission to launch out into ministry on their own. 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 us. Jesus commissioned the disciples with a message, a method, and the means to fulfill the commission. The message Jesus gave the disciples was a simple one: preach the Kingdom of God. 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. 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.
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 Jesus.
Pray that God rebuild our lives in a transformative way. Pray the remnant be strengthened and encouraged. Pray we not just say but also do things that glorify God. 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 time to the cause of Christ. 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 perfection 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.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 