TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Luke 10:1-24
Ezekiel 2:1-5

“…I send thee to the children of Israel,
to a rebellious nation that
hath rebelled against me…”

THE APPOINTED AND SENT

The Lord Jesus sent the disciples two by two. He personally appointed them to go to places He had assigned. Jesus said the harvest was great but the labourers were few and He asked His disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest that He may send forth more workers. Jesus told them to go as lambs among wolves, for God-sent workers must be meek and harmless, not vengeful against persecutors but humbly submitting to the Father’s will as Jesus did. He told them not to worry about their financial (purse) or material (scrip, shoes) support. They must urgently bring peace in the person of Jesus Christ to every house they entered.

Jesus denounced the indifference of the people from Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. Their hearts were hardened against the gospel of Christ. It is not for man to judge persons or places who are rejecting God, but for the Lord to declare His woes upon them. (Read Ezekiel 2:3.)

The disciples were rejoicing in their successes and reported back to Jesus. They seemed to be puffed up because of the wonders and miracles they had performed. They immediately forgot that they were just instruments of God and the power was not their own. God’s servants must give all glory to God. The disciples’ wrong convictions were corrected. They were not to focus on the outward results of the ministry, but to rejoice that they were saved and called by God even before the foundation of the world to perform God’s work. It is a great privilege to serve God and be counted as servants of His Kingdom. In spite of their failures, Jesus thanked the Father for His sovereignty in choosing weak and insignificant men of the world to do His will. Verily, no man can boast before God. All things were granted by the Father according to His own good pleasure.

THOUGHT: Am I a sent-one of Christ?
PRAYER: Father in heaven, Thou art the One who has called me to salvation and service. Help me fulfil the tasks I am assigned.