March 30

Luke 9:1-6


Delegating authority is part of leadership training.  Jesus knew His time here was short and even though the disciples didn't really understand all that was happening, Jesus sent them out to expand His ministry.  According to Jewish customs, at the time, a person could authorize messengers to act with his full legal authority to the extent of the commission given to them.  (Bible Background Commentary) Jesus exemplifies this as He sends His disciples out with very specific instructions, and most of all He gave them the authority to carry out the mission.  The disciples didn't pack a weeks worth of luxuries before they left mostly because they didn't have any, and also the message they were spreading had nothing to do with material wealth.  By traveling light, they demonstrated their reliance on God's power to provide rather than their own provisions.  So as I was reading this, I was trying to think of how this applies to our life today.  We are all very fortunate to be involved in a church where biblical leadership training to expand the great commission is the heartbeat of our church.  Some people are called to go on overseas Missions trips, some of us find a Mission trip at our kitchen tables.  Either way, we have all answered the call and by the power of the Holy Spirit have been authorized and empowered to act and expand Jesus' ministry.  We deliver Jesus' message to everyone we talk to during the day. We can't get upset if people don't receive the message, maybe that's why Jesus told the disciples to "shake the dust off" when they left a town.  Like the disciples, we have been delegated authority to plant seeds and spread the message of the Gospel.  I don't know who God plans to put in our path today, but there will be someone who needs to hear His message. 


Randi