Devote #66

The 9th chapter of Luke is by far one of my most favorite chapters of the Bible (I know… I say that about a lot of chapters of the Bible). But seriously, this is one powerful chapter.

In it Jesus sends out His twelve disciples. Their marching orders are really very simple…
“He gave them complete power over all demons and diseases, Then He sent them to tell about God’s kingdom and to heal the sick.” Luke 9:1-2 CEV

And that’s exactly what they did. We don’t know how long they were gone, or where exactly the went to, but verse 6 tells us “they went from village to village… everywhere.”

As someone who has an evangelistic calling, these verses resonate in my being. I love talking to people about the one thing that means the most to me, my Savior, Jesus. I’ve knocked on plenty of doors in my lifetime. One of my favorite places to talk about Jesus is on the airplane. I figure, “where are they going to go?”

Now I know, most Christians here in the U.S. don’t feel all that comfortable talking about their faith. We’re pretty hush-hush unless we know the other people we’re around are Christians as well. But if you’ll take a different attitude it might help. I take the attitude, what’s the worst they can say, “No.” But I at least want to give them the opportunity to say, “No.” Most often we just assume people aren’t interested in talking about Jesus, but you and I don’t know that.

These disciples experienced great results and so can we. But like the disciples, I’m afraid we’ll possible fall into the same rut they did.

You see, sometime later Jesus and the twelve were traveling again. As day was ending and they were in a pretty desolate place, the disciples told Jesus to tell the crowd of people to go home. They needed to rest and get something to eat. But Jesus said to the disciples “You give them something to eat.” Did I mention, they were in a pretty desolate place? Did I also mention that it was late afternoon? And you do know there were no fast food places around the area, right? And we all know it takes money to buy food, duh? Did I also tell you, there were about 5000 men, plus women and children. This is no little crowd.

The disciples said to Jesus…
“We have only five small loaves of bread and two fish.” Luke 9:13 CEV

You know the rest of the story. Jesus took the fish and bread… prayed over them… had them distributed… everyone ate as much as they wanted… twelve baskets of leftovers.

Here’s my word of encouragement for you today: Don’t fall into the rut of the disciples by offering Jesus the little you think you don’t have. You are a World-changer! You are a History-maker! You are a Water-walker and a Holy Spirit Fire-starter! No more excuses! Tell em all what a great God we serve!

Father,
Open my mouth and I will sing Your praise! Jesus, all for You, Amen.

Rev. Dr. MM Marxhausen