Word@Work Luke141 - Luke 9:10-11
Published: Wed, 07/07/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
REPORT, REST AND KEEP GOING
Luke 9:10-11 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. (NIV)
Ministry training with Jesus was unpredictable. After much observing, the disciples had been sent out in twos to preach, heal and cast out demons under the authority of Jesus. On their return they had much to report to the Lord, and to share with the others. So He took them away from the crowds of Capernaum to the relative quietness of Bethsaida (near where the River Jordan enters the Sea of Galilee). But word spread, and soon the people were trekking round the lake or following by sea to find Jesus. The holiday was over, the time of retreat disappeared, the period of reflection had been overtaken by yet more ministry.
Their tiredness, excitement and tales of spiritual encounters had to be put to one side in order to welcome those seeking Jesus, and to explain how they could enter His Kingdom. The needy clustered around Jesus, expecting that He would heal them, and He did. The disciples were back to their role of helpers and observers, as though the previous few weeks had never happened. But this was also ministry training. In the years ahead, they would have to endure much personal difficulty in sharing the gospel, with a programme and timetable that was outside their control.
The Christian life is 24/7. And our availability to work for Jesus should be the same. But in many parts of the world, the 'professionalism' of Christianity may have misled those whose working life is 'outside the church' into thinking that serving Jesus is a spare time (if I have got time), leisure activity. Not so! Jesus has the right to call on any of His people, at any time and in any place, to work with Him. Indeed there should be a real expectation that He will do so. A useful guide is: wherever you meet people, God may want to be at work through you. And when there is nobody else around, God wants to work in you through prayer and the scriptures. Instead of resenting the responsibility, every believer needs to keep re-learning that they are here to work with Him at His command; and with every God-sent task, there is a God-given supply of power, love and grace. If you are ready and willing for God to use you, He will!
Prayer: Loving Heavenly Father. Thank You for this reminder that my calling is to be Your child and a fully functional part of Your 'family business' of seeking the lost and demonstrating the wonders of Your kingdom. Forgive me when I think of my service for You as 'doing church' and not realising that I am to be available to You all the time - so that You can work through me. So help me to take advantage of the quiet times to learn from Your word and to pray; and help me in the busy times to see the people around me as those who need to find their answers in Jesus. May I be willing to be available whenever You need me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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Ministry training with Jesus was unpredictable. After much observing, the disciples had been sent out in twos to preach, heal and cast out demons under the authority of Jesus. On their return they had much to report to the Lord, and to share with the others. So He took them away from the crowds of Capernaum to the relative quietness of Bethsaida (near where the River Jordan enters the Sea of Galilee). But word spread, and soon the people were trekking round the lake or following by sea to find Jesus. The holiday was over, the time of retreat disappeared, the period of reflection had been overtaken by yet more ministry.
Their tiredness, excitement and tales of spiritual encounters had to be put to one side in order to welcome those seeking Jesus, and to explain how they could enter His Kingdom. The needy clustered around Jesus, expecting that He would heal them, and He did. The disciples were back to their role of helpers and observers, as though the previous few weeks had never happened. But this was also ministry training. In the years ahead, they would have to endure much personal difficulty in sharing the gospel, with a programme and timetable that was outside their control.
The Christian life is 24/7. And our availability to work for Jesus should be the same. But in many parts of the world, the 'professionalism' of Christianity may have misled those whose working life is 'outside the church' into thinking that serving Jesus is a spare time (if I have got time), leisure activity. Not so! Jesus has the right to call on any of His people, at any time and in any place, to work with Him. Indeed there should be a real expectation that He will do so. A useful guide is: wherever you meet people, God may want to be at work through you. And when there is nobody else around, God wants to work in you through prayer and the scriptures. Instead of resenting the responsibility, every believer needs to keep re-learning that they are here to work with Him at His command; and with every God-sent task, there is a God-given supply of power, love and grace. If you are ready and willing for God to use you, He will!
Prayer: Loving Heavenly Father. Thank You for this reminder that my calling is to be Your child and a fully functional part of Your 'family business' of seeking the lost and demonstrating the wonders of Your kingdom. Forgive me when I think of my service for You as 'doing church' and not realising that I am to be available to You all the time - so that You can work through me. So help me to take advantage of the quiet times to learn from Your word and to pray; and help me in the busy times to see the people around me as those who need to find their answers in Jesus. May I be willing to be available whenever You need me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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