One day Jesus called together His twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then He sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. “Take nothing for your journey,” He instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes. Wherever you go, stay in the same house until you leave town. And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.” So they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick.
Luke 9:1-6
There are some interesting things in these first 6 verses of Luke 9. See what you can find.
- Take particular note of the five things they were not to take.
- Why did Jesus say not to take these five things?
- Note also what to do when your ministry is rejected.
While waiting for you to look at the details I will take this time to point out some of the big picture features.
The segment from Luke 9:1-50 is the last of the elements that relate to the ministry around Galilee. The last before it is also the close of the shared material before we get to Luke’s Greater Interpolation which starts at Luke 9:51. Take note of how these segments from 1-50 hang together. Remember that Luke has written these things in an ordered way for you, God Lover. Note how Luke blends the Commission of the disciples with themes of rejection, suffering and humility along with the revelation of God’s power and glory and Peter’s confession. The way in which Luke has combined these elements is interesting to say the least. Keep your eyes open and your wits about you as you proceed. In fact why don’t I give you another exercise to do today before we launch into this segment. I suggested while you were waiting for me that you looked back over what we have covered and then look ahead at what was to come. Now you have some specifics as to what to look at and how it hangs together. At this time read Luke 9:1-50 through again and note particularly how the pieces go together.
But don’t forget to look at the details of Luke 9:1-6 too and answer the questions I posed above. Now that is enough for the moment. Some of you might be wishing I was still playing with the grandkids because I keep giving you work to do. Your choice, you learn more when you do the work yourself.
He who chops wood gets warm twice.
Confucius
He / she who finds their own Gems comes alive to Bible study. Capture the thrill of digging deeper in God’s Word and you will never be the same.
Ian Vail
The Bible is the only book whose Author is always present when you read it.
Ian Vail
There’s both an eagle in me that wants to soar and a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud.
Carl Sandburg