PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 10:8-16
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Heal the sick and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near’” (Luke 10:9)
Jesus sends his disciples to share peace (v.5) and healing.
He also warns (woe!) that some will refuse it, and regret it.
Hades is the Greek idea of the afterlife, what happens after we die.
Jesus uses this idea to show his disciples how important their work is.
‘People need grace, you bring it to them so they can receive it!’
They’re not called to bring warnings of hades but blessings of grace.
Bring healing and peace, mercy and love; overwhelm them with grace.
Grace, not condemnation, is our calling, to woo them with kindness.
Grace is not forced, people are free to “not welcome” it (v.10).
In the end, not all will accept it.
But more might if they felt it as grace.
The Lord is sad when people reject his offer of healing and peace.
How much more sad is he when his followers don’t offer it to others.
Whether or not people welcome it, our job is to be gracious!
PRAYER
Lord, make me a servant of compassion, not of condemnation, so that as many people as possible will experience it as good, and want it for themselves!
Representing Jesus. That is an important responsibility. If I come a myself – I know I will fail and it has no power. But in the name of Jesus it has. It behooves me to be connected then: “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” I must be honest – it is not propaganda – it testifying to the grace that I’ve received as a fellow human being. Thank you Lord for the opportunities you given me to share – help me be faithful I pray!
The disciples were sent out to share the Good News. Those who hear can either accept or reject that Good News. That is still true today. The Word is proclaimed and the hearers with open ears and eyes and heart will accept what they hear, but others, their hearts are hardened. Today I need to be an instrument of His peace. Others need to see Christ living in me.
1 Grace and truth shall mark the way
Where the Lord His own will lead,
If His word they still obey
And His testimonies heed.
2 For Thy name’s sake hear Thou me,
For Thy mercy, Lord, I wait;
Pardon my iniquity,
For my sin is very great.
3 He who walks in godly fear
In the path of truth shall go;
Peace shall be his portion here,
And his sons all good shall know.
4 They that fear and love the Lord
Shall His holy friendship know;
He will grace to them accord,
And His faithful covenant show.