Word@Work Luke162 - Luke 10:4
Published: Thu, 08/05/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
HINDERANCES
Luke 10:4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. (NIV)
Jesus was briefing 72 disciples (in addition to the twelve trainee-apostles). He tells them to go without any visible means of support, nothing in reserve, just the provision that God would arrange for them. In today's terms, no overnight bag and no credit card. He wanted them to be a part of His mission, and therefore He would supply every one of their needs. Later He asked the apostles, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. (Luke 22:35). The God who calls also provides!
Their mission, going out two by two, was surrounded by urgency. Soon, Jesus was going to visit the towns which had been prepared by the disciples as they preached, healed and cast out demons. There was no time to waste: the people had to know Jesus was coming so that they might want to welcome Him. The social conventions of Eastern greetings might have delayed them, by days or weeks; then Jesus would arrive unannounced, and the people would be unprepared.
It is the same today, if we are to work with Jesus. We rarely have enough resources 'up front', and every ministry has to depend on the Lord to supply even the most basic of needs. He never wants us to think that we can work for Him without working with Him. If we were independent of Him we might think that success was due to us (with the corresponding discouragement when everything seems against us!) But also there is urgency. Many churches today have forgotten their role to prepare the world for the second coming of Christ. Believers may be content to enjoy fellowship while sinners slip unnoticed into a lost eternity. Let us repent of that attitude and get back to the job!
Prayer: Loving God. Thank You for supplying all my needs from Your glorious riches. Please forgive me when I assume that I cannot start to serve You before I have secured my future: because I know that it is You alone who secures my future. Forgive me too, when I forget my responsibility to announce Your coming Kingdom to my family, friends and colleagues so that they may be ready to meet the Lord Jesus. Forgive me when I don't care about them or Your command, or think that tomorrow will be time enough. Please help me to work with You, trusting You to supply all my needs, so that I can get on with the work You have set for Your church, in my little corner of the world. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Jesus was briefing 72 disciples (in addition to the twelve trainee-apostles). He tells them to go without any visible means of support, nothing in reserve, just the provision that God would arrange for them. In today's terms, no overnight bag and no credit card. He wanted them to be a part of His mission, and therefore He would supply every one of their needs. Later He asked the apostles, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. (Luke 22:35). The God who calls also provides!
Their mission, going out two by two, was surrounded by urgency. Soon, Jesus was going to visit the towns which had been prepared by the disciples as they preached, healed and cast out demons. There was no time to waste: the people had to know Jesus was coming so that they might want to welcome Him. The social conventions of Eastern greetings might have delayed them, by days or weeks; then Jesus would arrive unannounced, and the people would be unprepared.
It is the same today, if we are to work with Jesus. We rarely have enough resources 'up front', and every ministry has to depend on the Lord to supply even the most basic of needs. He never wants us to think that we can work for Him without working with Him. If we were independent of Him we might think that success was due to us (with the corresponding discouragement when everything seems against us!) But also there is urgency. Many churches today have forgotten their role to prepare the world for the second coming of Christ. Believers may be content to enjoy fellowship while sinners slip unnoticed into a lost eternity. Let us repent of that attitude and get back to the job!
Prayer: Loving God. Thank You for supplying all my needs from Your glorious riches. Please forgive me when I assume that I cannot start to serve You before I have secured my future: because I know that it is You alone who secures my future. Forgive me too, when I forget my responsibility to announce Your coming Kingdom to my family, friends and colleagues so that they may be ready to meet the Lord Jesus. Forgive me when I don't care about them or Your command, or think that tomorrow will be time enough. Please help me to work with You, trusting You to supply all my needs, so that I can get on with the work You have set for Your church, in my little corner of the world. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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