Daily Bread 2011 - Luke 10
Daily Bread 2011 – Thursday, March 17th, 2011 Luke 10
5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
What Does This Mean?
As Jesus moves from doing the ministry before the disciples, to equipping them to be sent out to proclaim that the “Kingdom is at hand”, he gives them several principles. First, he sends them out in two’s realizing that not everyone would be receptive to them. He also told them not to greet anyone on the road, but go to homes and look for a person of peace.
He knew that not every home would be receptive to them, but if they were, they were to enjoy the hospitality offered to them. As they went they were to announce the availability of God’s kingdom, and then demonstrate it through healing and delivering people from demonic strongholds. Importantly though, if there was not openness to their ministry, they were to move on to the next home or town.
As the disciples came back they were rejoicing that even the demons were submitting to them in Jesus’ name. But Jesus told them not to be as joyful about that as they were children of God and their names written in heaven.
What Does This Mean For Us?
For a long time we have operated in the church with a mentality that if we build it they will come. But we see in the New Testament, an apostolic model that is one of being sent out into the world to show that God’s kingdom has come in the person of Jesus and now through the Church. Sometimes as we are met with resistance, we keep pushing and try to win people over to our point of view. But the above passages would suggest that either people are going to receptive to the message or not. It is not our job to create receptivity that is the role of the Holy Spirit.
If someone is not open to God working through you, it will probably do little good to keep pushing. Yet, when there is openness we are taught to go in the power and name of Jesus and proclaim God’s kingdom is at hand. How do we do this today?
One way is as we build relationship with those who are not yet believers in Christ, we might be able to sense if there is an openness to things of God. If yes, we can pray for the Holy Spirit’s prompting to take a risk and start a spiritual conversation. This might lead to a prayer time together or sharing a bible verse. Here is where God’s kingdom and power can flow through us as His Word and His Spirit uses us to reach lost people.
And I wonder what it would be like going out in two’s in the neighborhood to share the message of God’s peace with those around us. I’m sure some might not be open to our presence but others might. What would it be like for you to do this? What fears would it create? What opportunities might it present for God’s kingdom to be advanced?
Jesus as you sent your disciples out in two’s, you send us out into the world to show Your love to it. Stir in our hearts a love for lost people who matter to you. Help us to be aware of how we might proclaim Your Kingdom even in small ways to those who are receptive in our community. Amen.
5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
What Does This Mean?
As Jesus moves from doing the ministry before the disciples, to equipping them to be sent out to proclaim that the “Kingdom is at hand”, he gives them several principles. First, he sends them out in two’s realizing that not everyone would be receptive to them. He also told them not to greet anyone on the road, but go to homes and look for a person of peace.
He knew that not every home would be receptive to them, but if they were, they were to enjoy the hospitality offered to them. As they went they were to announce the availability of God’s kingdom, and then demonstrate it through healing and delivering people from demonic strongholds. Importantly though, if there was not openness to their ministry, they were to move on to the next home or town.
As the disciples came back they were rejoicing that even the demons were submitting to them in Jesus’ name. But Jesus told them not to be as joyful about that as they were children of God and their names written in heaven.
What Does This Mean For Us?
For a long time we have operated in the church with a mentality that if we build it they will come. But we see in the New Testament, an apostolic model that is one of being sent out into the world to show that God’s kingdom has come in the person of Jesus and now through the Church. Sometimes as we are met with resistance, we keep pushing and try to win people over to our point of view. But the above passages would suggest that either people are going to receptive to the message or not. It is not our job to create receptivity that is the role of the Holy Spirit.
If someone is not open to God working through you, it will probably do little good to keep pushing. Yet, when there is openness we are taught to go in the power and name of Jesus and proclaim God’s kingdom is at hand. How do we do this today?
One way is as we build relationship with those who are not yet believers in Christ, we might be able to sense if there is an openness to things of God. If yes, we can pray for the Holy Spirit’s prompting to take a risk and start a spiritual conversation. This might lead to a prayer time together or sharing a bible verse. Here is where God’s kingdom and power can flow through us as His Word and His Spirit uses us to reach lost people.
And I wonder what it would be like going out in two’s in the neighborhood to share the message of God’s peace with those around us. I’m sure some might not be open to our presence but others might. What would it be like for you to do this? What fears would it create? What opportunities might it present for God’s kingdom to be advanced?
Jesus as you sent your disciples out in two’s, you send us out into the world to show Your love to it. Stir in our hearts a love for lost people who matter to you. Help us to be aware of how we might proclaim Your Kingdom even in small ways to those who are receptive in our community. Amen.
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