Slices
Prepare
Do you sometimes feel discouraged about the impact that your life, or church, is having? If only Jesus could be doing the ministry in person, he would surely have a more significant impact! What is Jesus calling you to do?
Bible passage
Jesus sends out the Twelve
9 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal those who were ill. 3 He told them: ‘Take nothing for the journey – no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ 6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, 8 others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. 9 But Herod said, ‘I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?’ And he tried to see him.
Explore
The twelve disciples had been with Jesus, but now it was their time to be sent out by him. They got to do his ministry of making lives whole and pointing people to the purposes of God. There is a definite tone of humility in the instructions Jesus gave. They were to depend on God and live frugally (v 3). Perhaps their manner and their ministry were intended to reflect the character of God revealed in Jesus.
The disciples spread the word, and word certainly spread. In verses 7–9, we see that even the palace was stirred by what they heard. Herod, the regional royalty, heard about the ministry of the twelve. But notice: what was everyone talking about? Not the twelve, but Jesus. This is how good ministry works. As followers of Jesus represent Jesus in what they do and how they do it, society is moved to consider Jesus.
‘Who is this Jesus?’ This is the question that should be on everyone’s lips!
Respond
Pray for God to stir your motivation to represent Jesus in today’s world. Pray that as you and others seek to do Jesus’ work with Jesus’ humility, the whole of society would be stirred to think about Jesus.
Deeper Bible study
‘As we look ahead into the next [21st] century, leaders will be those who empower others.’1
Leadership training is a popular and lucrative industry today. The world is desperate for safe and reliable leaders to follow, yet so often disappointed by their failures and shortcomings. In this passage, Jesus models healthy and effective leadership, which begins where all genuine leadership starts: with empowerment. Note that, as Jesus sends out the twelve, the very first thing he does, before even describing what they are to do, is give them power and authority (v 1). This sharing of his authority is the foundation for their ministry and the means by which they will accomplish his instructions.
After this, he gives them instructions so they will know what they are to do (v 2). His instructions relate directly to the empowerment he has just given them – they are to proclaim the kingdom of God and heal those who are ill. This dual proclamation, by both word and deed, demonstrates that the kingdom is both physical and spiritual, that his salvation relates both to the soul and the body. He then gives even more precise instructions about what they should take with them and how they should approach a new town (vs 3,4). He even tells them how to deal with setbacks and rejection (v 5), a crucial component of any empowering leader. Finally, he calls them back so he can continue to train and teach them (v 10).
The disciples have been following and observing Jesus closely. It is now their turn to step out and have a go. These same people will become the leaders of the early church, entrusted to continue Jesus’ ministry, so it is crucial that they gain experience in Jesus’ mission so they can continue to grow and learn.
As you influence and lead others, what aspects of Jesus’ leadership pattern do you need to incorporate into your own leadership? How can you more effectively empower others?
1 Bill Gates, b 1955
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Job 35,36; Philippians 1
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray that all the young people who attended the Rooted retreat in June will continue to grow in faith. Pray that churches wanting to connect with young people and children in their communities will find Rooted a useful tool from which they can draw ideas and resources.
