Gospel – Luke 9-10

Today, we continue to walk with Jesus as He went around preaching the kingdom of God, teaching the Word, and performing miracles. In just two chapters, there is recorded so many different events that one might find it hard to consolidate them.

Just a few events will be noted here, along with some personal reflections.

Let’s begin by reading ….

Bible Passage:  Luke 9-10

Jesus Sends Out Workers

Both chapters begin with Jesus sending out His workers, giving them power and authority over demons and to cure diseases. They were to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick (Luke 9:2). They were instructed to carry nothing for the journey, and the first thing they should say when they enter a house is “Peace to this house.” (Luke 10:5). However, if anyone does not receive them, they were to “shake off the very dust from their feet as a testimony against them” (Luke 9:5; Luke10:10-11).

What does this remind you of?

For me, it reminded me of our door-to-door evangelism we just started last Saturday. Before we actually broke off into smaller groups, we were all gathered together in prayer, just like how Jesus called His disciples together to Him before they were sent out. Each of us then became an ambassador for Christ, holding the stewardship of the gospel, ready to share with those who would hear us.

I believe that some of us were afraid, or somewhat apprehensive at least. Will I really be able to do this? Will this actually produce results? Will people care to hear?

But see what Jesus told His disciples. “I send you out…..” (Luke 10:3). The Bible states that Jesus Himself gave His disciples power and authority over demons and to preach the kingdom of God.

Similarly, today, when we do evangelising work in the name of Jesus, we are also sent out personally by the Lord. Having this conviction, we can then be more assured that Jesus is in our midst and that He will personally work in the hearts of those who would hear Him.

And so, God will give us what we need to do this work, even though we might think that we are not able to do it. Remember what He told Moses, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”

And also to Jeremiah, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you.”

Comforting? He will give us the words to say when the time comes, if we know how to rely on Him.

Another thing to note. Jesus didn’t give them a quota to fulfil. He merely sent them out to preach and to bless. Therefore, there is really no need to worry about how many people will actually express interest, or how many follow-up cases we would get. We only need to go out and preach the peace of Jesus. Look at Luke 10:6. “And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.” In other words, there is no loss at all!

It’s like, it’s ok if you don’t hear us, we still do our part to tell you about God and we have done it. Be assured that God sees your work in Him; it does not matter whether there are actually results (in terms of number believed), as long as we have done our part to tell them about Jesus.

Yes, I know Jesus. Don’t I?

I would like to share another thought I have which I had shared with the JY students during one Bible Study. In Luke 9:18, Jesus actually asked His disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And answers such as John the Baptist, Elijah were given. But when Jesus asked His disciples directly, Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

Peter really knew that Jesus was the Messiah. Probably the twelve disciples also knew, having developed such close relationships with Jesus over the three years of Jesus’ ministry. They must have known Jesus, that He is the Holy One sent from God.

Many of us also deeply know who Jesus is. We are either brought up in Church through our REU classes, or we were deeply convinced by the message in the Bible to return to the Truth. This is undeniable. I believe that most of us in the true church know God more than many others outside. We have the grace to attend the yearly student or youth theological courses. Most importantly, we have the grace of the Truth with us. However, one important point to note is that, knowing Jesus is God doesn’t imply that Jesus is our God.

What do I mean by this?

Let’s look at Luke 9:54-56. It’s amazing that in the same chapter, after Peter proclaimed so confidently that Jesus is the Christ (Luke 9:20), James and John were actually rebuked by Jesus for not knowing “what manner of spirit they are of” (Luke 9:55). What happened was that a village of the Samaritans did not receive Jesus, so probably, feeling indignant for the Lord, James and John thought that it was right to command fire down to consume them. However, Jesus shuts them up, saying, “The Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.”

What happened here? Didn’t the twelve disciples knew Jesus? Didn’t they know what He was here for? Yes, probably they did. However, what was perhaps lacking was the heart of Jesus in them. They thought that they were being righteous for God, but they failed to realise that their righteousness is not God’s righteousness. God’s righteousness comes with mercy, at least until the door of grace is shut.

I often look at my students and ponder about this: they are able to give me the model answers during bible study sessions, but do they actually hold those views in their own hearts? They may have all the answers to bible study questions, but do they actually apply these in their own lives? Yes, they know who Jesus is, they can tell you His attributes, they know the Bible well enough… but what does all these mean if they do not have Jesus’ heart as their own hearts?

In other words, yes, I know Jesus is God. But, is He my God?

Elder James exhorts, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe – and tremble!” (James 2:19).

We have to be different from the demons who also believe that Jesus is God. How? By having the same heart as Jesus. By understand His will and doing it. By always striving to be like Jesus.

And one way to doing the will of God is through preaching work, for our God is one who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).

Oh How Blessed Are You!

One final note before I end off here. Let’s look at Luke 10:23-24. Jesus said to His disciples, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.”

I wonder if we actually feel for this two verses? I wonder if we realised how blessed we truly are, to be able to be in the true church, to be given so freely the Word of life, the Truth. Often, as we continue the routines of our walk of faith, it is inevitable that we start to take this grace for granted. I think that it is understandable, but it is important that we constantly take a step back to reflect upon this wondrous grace that God has given us.

Remember that many in the world “have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.” (This, you will truly experience for yourself when you actually go out and preach; when you see firsthand for yourself people whose hearts are simply closed to the Word of God. Some of them just do not get it, but you are led by the Holy Spirit into the Truth. As you come across such people, perhaps then you can more fully understand the grace that God has showered so freely upon you.)

Let us ponder upon the grace of God on us, and consider those out there who are still waiting to hear the gospel. Also, knowing that Jesus is God is not enough. Let us make Jesus our God, by following after His ways and examples, and having His heart as our own.

Someone found this video entitled “In Christ Alone” and would like to share it. Tell me if you like it.