Devotions
Rev Gav
Them
Luke 9.1-11
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 the sick. 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.” So they departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news, and curing diseases everywhere.
Now Herod the ruler heard about all that had taken place, and he was perplexed because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had arisen. Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he tried to see him.
On their return the apostles told Jesus all they had done. Then, taking them along, he slipped quietly into a city called Bethsaida. When the crowds found out about it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God and healed those who needed to be cured.
Reflect
The twelve disciples were called, commissioned, and sent by Jesus whereupon they were to do two things — proclaim that Jesus Christ was sovereign and be witnesses to God’s love.
In the same way, we are a gathered church but also a sent church. We gather around Christ (in person or online) where we learn how to be disciples of Jesus, and then we are commissioned by God to go out into the world.
In today’s Bible passage we read of the disciples being sent and then returning, but in-between we have this short piece about Herod who ‘heard’ about Jesus and enquired after him. I wonder if Luke placed this part of the story in the middle on purpose, to demonstrate that the disciples’ proclamation and presence ministry had reached even those deemed ‘unreachable’?
Herod, with good cause, is painted as the baddie in the story, but even his head turned towards Jesus, even if it was only out of curiosity rather than as a recognition of Jesus’ status as God’s anointed one.
The point is, that this middle section is a reminder that God wants to reach everyone, no matter who they are or how notorious they are. There is no-one who is irredeemable by Christ and no-one Christ does not want to reach with God’s love.
For us, we are simply to play our part — to gather, be commissioned, and be sent. Like those twelve disciples we are sent into the world to let the world know that Jesus Christ is sovereign and be witnesses — through acts of service — to God’s love.
Today, perhaps think of someone who seems the most unlikely person to respond the message of salvation or God’s love. Perhaps they are of another religion or are atheist? Perhaps they have strong views and opinions that seem immutable? Perhaps, due to past trauma or bad religious experiences, they have put up emotional or intellectual barriers?
Pray for them and keep loving them, for everything is possible with God.
Photo by Rohit Kashyap on Unsplash
Pray
Holy God
Help me be faithful to my calling,
to gather at the feet of Jesus,
and be sent into the world.
May I continue to proclaim
Jesus Christ as Sovereign,
and, through acts of service,
bear witness to your love.
May my words and actions
reach those whom you seek.
This day and forever.
and then