Jesus sends out the twelve

Luke 9:1-9

Key Verse 9:2

And he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

This passage teaches us about Jesus' wisdom to reach out to a multitude of people, that is, through a disciple-making ministry.

1. Verse 1 says that before sending out the Twelve Jesus equipped them with the power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases. What does this provision indicate about the way to serve the Lord's mission successfully (and joyfully)?

** It is to go and serve the Lord's mission (preaching and healing) not with our own power and strength (or ability to talk), but with Jesus' power and authority. Remember that Jesus never asks his disciples to do anything without first providing them with means by which to serve the mission. 

2. According to verse 2 Jesus had two purposes in sending them out: 1) to preach the kingdom of God; and 2) to heal the sick. How are the two related?

** They must go side by side, but first thing first, that is preaching first, healing next. In this way the two branches of work supplement each other so that as one hears the message of God's kingdom, one can experience healing.  As one gets healed of diseases one also comes to taste the joy of God's kingdom as a reality. 

Exodus 15:26 He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."

3. In verses 3-4 Jesus told them to take "nothing" for the journey, but to rely on what their sponsor(s) might provide for them. Compare this instruction with Jesus' words in Luke 22:35-36. Why the difference?

** Probably it is because at that particular juncture of Jesus' ministry (in the passage) Jesus' popularity was at its peak, that many people were well disposed towards the disciples, but later as Jesus faced the crucifixion Jesus saw that the whole world would grow hostile to the disciples, so Jesus even "asked" the disciples to provide for themselves. 

4. Verse 5 describes what the disciples should do to those who do not welcome them. Before shaking the dust off their feet, what should a disciple do first? In what respect would shaking the dust off their feet serve as a "testimony against" those who do not welcome them? 

** They must provide his audience with the full opportunity to hear the gospel and either accept or reject it. 

** The dust is proof that those who did not welcome the disciples had time to hear the gospel, repent, and be saved, but forfeited the privilege by rejecting the gospel. 

5. Think about God's work described in verse 6. How would you characterize this work of God? What wisdom is there for us to learn in reaching out to many in our generation?

** It was a great success.

** The wisdom is 1:1, disciple-making, and then missionary sending. It sounds slow but in the long run it is the most effective work of God, reaching out to the greatest number of people. Think about the simple mathematics - 1 disciple makes another disciple; then the number becomes 2, then 2 becomes 4, 4 becomes 8, 8 becomes 16 etc. and so forth. 

6. Consider the way Herod responded to the great work of God through Jesus and his disciples. Why did Herod respond this way? (9)

** It is because he did not repent of his lust problem. 

Read Numbers 32:23  

"But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.

The end

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