November 21 The Lord’s Work

Luke 9:3-7 Jesus told them: “Take nothing for the journey –  no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them.” 6 So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.
 
JESUS told his disciples, “Trust in God’s provision for your ministry.” They would take a staff to aid in their walking. The bag was sometimes used by Jews for begging for food while traveling. The men would leave with no bread nor money to buy bread or lodging. The extra tunic was a spare to protect them from inclement weather. This was to be a brief ministry, faithfully following the Lord’s instructions.
   The disciples were only to rely on the customary Jewish hospitality. This was an act of faith because many Jews would reject their message. Some would be afraid of the Pharisees and Sadducees, who could accuse them of believing in Jesus as the Christ and thus expel them from the synagogue (See John 9:22).
   If (when) some said, “You are not welcome here.” the disciples were to “shake the dust off their feet.”  This was a symbolic gesture of many Jews as they entered Judah’s borders from a pagan (not God-believing) country. To remove dust from one’s shoes was to remove any connection with unbelieving people.
   Jesus’ directive puts into action, “Come follow me.” His disciples are to follow Jesus in the manner of ministry. They are to rely only on the Father and the Holy Spirit for their physical lives and spiritual successes. The Lord will provide both as they drive out demons, heal people and preach the gospel.  
   So they go in faith. They have heard and seen the Lord in action. Could his wondrous, saving power transfer to them? In God’s power, their work, as we will see, begins to make an impression on even the most evil people in Galilee. This is the gospel spoken and lived in God’s authority.
 
Prayer: Send me, Father, into the world to preach your Word. I long to see your power save people unto you. Amen.