Discipleship 3 – Together - Wednesday 27th Sept 06
Luke 9:1-6 (GNB)
1Jesus called the twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases. 2Then he sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick, 3after saying to them, "Take nothing with you for the trip: no walking stick, no beggar's bag, no food, no money, not even an extra shirt. 4Wherever you are welcomed, stay in the same house until you leave that town; 5wherever people don't welcome you, leave that town and shake the dust off your feet as a warning to them." 6The disciples left and travelled through all the villages, preaching the Good News and healing people everywhere.
I have this odd picture of an army sergeant addressing his troops. “Right, this week I want Private Drake to go to unit 1 and defend that against the enemy, Private Swiek, you go to unit 2 and defend that against attack, Private Winchester, you go to unit 3 and attack there, …” and so on.
It sounds crazy, and yet each week preachers are effectively calling on each member of their congregations to do that in terms of their Christian witness or stand: to do it on their own, wherever they are during the week.
And yet in our passage today Jesus sent them together. In another place he sends them two by two. There must be a lesson here!
When I go visiting I much prefer to go with someone else. I can hide behind the one with me! And it is certainly true that we feel much more confident in talking about Christianity to others if there is someone backing us up!
So why not take a leaf out of Jesus book! He gives us power and authority to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick (ask the Holy Spirit!). I am afraid to do it by myself, but with others with me it feels so much easier. So what are we waiting for!
To do. Team up with someone at work this week! | 