Word@Work Luke139 - Luke 9:3-6
Published: Mon, 07/05/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
TRAVELLING LIGHT
Luke 9:3-6 He told them: "Take nothing for the journey--no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere. (NIV)
Today's title has a double meaning. Wherever disciples of Jesus travel, they are the light of the world - His agents to illuminate this dark world with the gospel (Matthew 5:14). But they also need to 'travel light'. That is, they must go in faith, trusting that the Lord will provide for them physically as well as spiritually. Without any reserve provisions, they must depend on Him to supply daily bread and every need. That kind of missional lifestyle is a demonstration that the Jesus advertised to others supplies their needs too.
The disciples had never been out on this sort of mission by themselves (in groups of two) before, and would have been concerned about how they would survive the experience. So, Jesus gave clear instructions to the disciples: "Take nothing", said Jesus, "if you are welcomed, receive their hospitality; if not, move on to where you (and the message) will be received". Surprisingly, He commanded them to show God's rejection of those who rejected their message by shaking the dust of that town off their sandals - a sign that the gospel was not only for the salvation of believers but also for the judgement of those who refused. In that way Jesus was teaching His apprentices that the message of the Kingdom was not a casual idea, but that people's response to it would critically affect their eternity.
Yet, for many believers, the gospel has lost its 'life and death' power. Radical faith has been replaced by comfortable Christianity ... a quiet personal harbour rather than running the risks of a turbulent ocean to take the salvation-message where it is most needed. It is too easy for ministers and ministries to attract the trappings of corporate business, with its money, status and power; all a far cry from the apostles' experience (2 Corinthians 11:23-29). I know many in the world-wide church pity those with Western faith, who demand a style of financial and practical security which Jesus never had himself; while 'ordinary Christians' hide behind the 'professional clergy' and avoid the responsibility of telling the gospel message in the community and workplace . Those of our brothers and sisters under persecution understand today's verses much better, because they have to live them! Let these verses be a reminder to travel light, as a messenger with the message, and leave all the supply problems to the Lord.
Prayer: Gracious Lord. Thank You for Your intense commitment to the gospel, and Your promise to provide for all who will dare to declare it, wherever they are sent. Please forgive me for failing to tell people about Jesus - through my fear, faithlessness or being uncaring of the eternal destiny of my friends and colleagues. Help me to seize the opportunities to witness for Christ, and to see that as a sacred responsibility. Give me that compassion for lost souls, a passion for their salvation and courage to explain the gospel as I 'travel light' in my life as a Christian. For Christ's sake. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Today's title has a double meaning. Wherever disciples of Jesus travel, they are the light of the world - His agents to illuminate this dark world with the gospel (Matthew 5:14). But they also need to 'travel light'. That is, they must go in faith, trusting that the Lord will provide for them physically as well as spiritually. Without any reserve provisions, they must depend on Him to supply daily bread and every need. That kind of missional lifestyle is a demonstration that the Jesus advertised to others supplies their needs too.
The disciples had never been out on this sort of mission by themselves (in groups of two) before, and would have been concerned about how they would survive the experience. So, Jesus gave clear instructions to the disciples: "Take nothing", said Jesus, "if you are welcomed, receive their hospitality; if not, move on to where you (and the message) will be received". Surprisingly, He commanded them to show God's rejection of those who rejected their message by shaking the dust of that town off their sandals - a sign that the gospel was not only for the salvation of believers but also for the judgement of those who refused. In that way Jesus was teaching His apprentices that the message of the Kingdom was not a casual idea, but that people's response to it would critically affect their eternity.
Yet, for many believers, the gospel has lost its 'life and death' power. Radical faith has been replaced by comfortable Christianity ... a quiet personal harbour rather than running the risks of a turbulent ocean to take the salvation-message where it is most needed. It is too easy for ministers and ministries to attract the trappings of corporate business, with its money, status and power; all a far cry from the apostles' experience (2 Corinthians 11:23-29). I know many in the world-wide church pity those with Western faith, who demand a style of financial and practical security which Jesus never had himself; while 'ordinary Christians' hide behind the 'professional clergy' and avoid the responsibility of telling the gospel message in the community and workplace . Those of our brothers and sisters under persecution understand today's verses much better, because they have to live them! Let these verses be a reminder to travel light, as a messenger with the message, and leave all the supply problems to the Lord.
Prayer: Gracious Lord. Thank You for Your intense commitment to the gospel, and Your promise to provide for all who will dare to declare it, wherever they are sent. Please forgive me for failing to tell people about Jesus - through my fear, faithlessness or being uncaring of the eternal destiny of my friends and colleagues. Help me to seize the opportunities to witness for Christ, and to see that as a sacred responsibility. Give me that compassion for lost souls, a passion for their salvation and courage to explain the gospel as I 'travel light' in my life as a Christian. For Christ's sake. Amen.
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