Hebraic Musing – What did Jesus send out His Disciples to do?
If we are one of
Jesus’ disciples, then what has He told us to do in Luke 9:1-6? “When Jesus had called the Twelve together,
he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to
cure diseases,” (And what were they to do with that power and authority?) “he sent them out to preach
the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” (How were they to prepare?) “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.”
(And what did His disciples do?) “…they set out and went from village to
village, preaching the gospel and healing people
everywhere.” NIV The disciples obeyed Jesus and enjoyed
a very effective ministry!
Later, at the Last
Supper Jesus reminded His disciples of that experience by asking “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you
lack anything?’ ‘Nothing,’ they
answered. (Then Jesus challenged His
disciples.) “He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag;
and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is
written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this
must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its
fulfillment.” Luke 22:35-38 (NIV) Apparently, we are expected to become a discipler
like Jesus (who gave his life for being a discipler)!
Acts 1:8 describes
another similar encounter. When Jesus
came back but before His ascension to heaven, he spoke to His disciples. “But you will
receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the
earth.” Has the power of the Holy Spirit also been given
to each of us? Was Jesus’ message to His
twelve Apostles (Disciples) for them only, or was it also intended for us disciples
as well in the 21st century?
We may find it difficult
to “go out” and bear witness these days for fear of losing a friend, but we
don’t have to be confrontative, we can just start a conversation. The biggest limitation to witnessing is that
we might be too focused on our worries! A worrying person can not be an effective
witness about Jesus Christ. If we have
faith, we need to let it shine and demonstrate it. Would you rather see them in Heaven, instead
of Hell? Speak up!
To quote Johanna
Hocker’s personal application: “We are called to bear fruit. There are a
variety of fruits and there are a variety of gifts. In writing this, I have been convicted that in
my contacts with people one to one, I have little fruit to show for it, but, I
do get positive feedback on my writings, and from my friends. We can’t be too
hard on ourselves because we don’t have a certain gift, use the gifts you
have, and ask for Yehovah to bless your contact with others
and you will be bearing fruit!
What’s the
definition of a Disciple? A - A person
who accepts and helps to spread the teachings of
another.
In
Matthew, what were Jesus’ final words to His disciples? “Therefore go and
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you.” Matt.28:19-20
Was Jesus also speaking to you and me?
Question:
Was Jesus telling us to make believers?
Or did He tell us to “go and make
Disciples?
Points
to Ponder
Are
you a Disciple of Jesus Christ?
How
might Jesus’ instructions to His Disciples also apply to us?
Has
the Holy Spirit also given us the power to heal and testify?
Q
– What is the most important healing people need? A – Salvation!
♫ Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born. ♫
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)” Weekly “Hebraic Musings”
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