Author: itakeoffthemask

In Luke 10:1-12, Jesus sends out seventy disciples with a clear mission and a powerful message. As we reflect on this passage, we are reminded of the urgency of the gospel and the responsibility we have as labourers in God’s harvest. This devotional will help us understand the significance of Jesus’ instructions and how we can apply them to our own lives today.

Scripture Reading:

“Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place where he was about to come. Then he said to them, ‘The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the labourers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out labourers into his harvest. Go your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs amongst wolves. Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace be to this house.” If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the labourer is worthy of his wages. Don’t go from house to house. Into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But into whatever city you enter, and they don’t receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust from your city that clings to us, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the Kingdom of God has come near to you.’ I tell you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.” — Luke 10:1-12 (WEBBE)

Reflection: Jesus appointed seventy disciples to go ahead of Him, sending them two by two into the towns and places He was about to visit. The urgency of the mission is evident in Jesus’ instructions: the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. The disciples were to pray for more workers and then to go out themselves, trusting in God’s provision.

Jesus sent them as “lambs amongst wolves,” a reminder that the mission would not be easy. They were to travel light, depending entirely on God and the hospitality of those they would meet. By instructing them not to carry extra provisions, Jesus was teaching them to rely on God’s care and the kindness of others, demonstrating that the work of the Kingdom is one of faith and dependence on God.

The message they were to bring was simple yet profound: “The Kingdom of God has come near to you.” This proclamation carried both hope and a call to repentance. The disciples were to offer peace to those who welcomed them, healing the sick and sharing the good news. But for those who rejected the message, they were to shake the dust off their feet and move on, knowing that they had fulfilled their responsibility.

This passage challenges us to consider our role in God’s harvest. Are we praying for more labourers? Are we willing to go out as Jesus’ disciples did, with faith and urgency, to share the message of the Kingdom? The task is great, but the reward is even greater as we participate in God’s redemptive work.

Prayer: Lord of the harvest, we pray that You would send more labourers into Your fields. Give us the courage and faith to answer Your call, to go out into the world and share the good news of Your Kingdom. Help us to rely on Your provision, to trust in Your care, and to bring Your peace to those we meet. Strengthen us for the task ahead and guide us in Your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Action Plan:

• Pray for the Harvest: Set aside time each day this week to pray specifically for more labourers in God’s harvest and for opportunities to share the gospel.
• Trust in God’s Provision: Reflect on areas where you may be relying on your own strength rather than trusting in God. Choose to surrender those areas to Him and rely on His provision.
• Share the Good News: Look for opportunities to share the message of the Kingdom with someone in your life, whether through words or actions, bringing peace and hope to those around you.

Thoughts for Contemplation:

• Am I responding to Jesus’ call to be a labourer in His harvest?
• How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God’s provision as I serve Him?
• In what ways can I bring the message of God’s Kingdom into the lives of those around me?

Reflect on these questions and seek to align your life more closely with the mission Jesus has given to all His followers.

In a world where status and power often dictate worth, Jesus presents a radical idea: greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven is found in childlike humility. This devotional invites us to explore what it means to approach God and others with the innocence, trust, and humility of a child, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 18:1-5, 10.

Scripture Reading:

“In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?’ Jesus called a little child to himself and set him in the middle of them, and said, ‘Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me. See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.’” — Matthew 18:1-5, 10 (WEBBE)

Reflection: The disciples, like many of us, were concerned with status and greatness. They wanted to know who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus’ response, however, was unexpected. Instead of pointing to a person of high status or power, He called a little child to Him and used the child as an example of greatness.

Jesus emphasized the need for humility by saying, “unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.” This turning refers to a change of heart, a shift from pride and self-reliance to humility and dependence on God. A child’s humility is marked by trust, simplicity, and a lack of pretense. They do not seek status; they simply trust and rely on those who care for them.

In verse 10, Jesus further warns against despising or looking down on “these little ones,” highlighting their importance in the Kingdom. Their angels, He says, always see the face of the Father in heaven, underscoring the value and dignity of every childlike believer in God’s eyes.

To be great in God’s Kingdom, we must embrace the humility of a child. This humility is not about thinking less of ourselves but rather thinking of ourselves less, trusting fully in God, and welcoming others with the same grace that we have received.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach us to humble ourselves as little children before You. Help us to let go of our pride, status-seeking, and self-reliance. Give us the grace to trust in You completely and to welcome others with the love and humility that You have shown us. May we always remember the value of every person in Your Kingdom, and never look down on anyone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Action Plan:

• Practice Childlike Trust: This week, identify an area of your life where you struggle with trust. Consciously choose to place your trust in God, approaching Him with the simple faith of a child.
• Embrace Humility in Relationships: Seek out opportunities to serve others without seeking recognition. Whether it’s a simple act of kindness or putting someone else’s needs before your own, let humility guide your actions.
• Honor the “Little Ones”: Reflect on how you treat those who may be overlooked or undervalued in society. Make an effort to show them respect, kindness, and the love of Christ.

Thoughts for Contemplation:

• How often do I seek recognition or status rather than serving others with humility?
• In what ways can I cultivate a childlike heart that trusts in God and values others as He does?
• Do I treat everyone, regardless of their status, with the dignity and respect they deserve as children of God?

Reflect on these questions and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into a deeper understanding of what it means to be great in the Kingdom of Heaven through childlike humility.

In life, we often face moments of rejection or opposition, especially when we’re pursuing what we believe is right. How do we respond in those moments? Do we react with anger, or do we stay focused on our mission with a spirit of grace? In Luke 9:51-56, Jesus provides a powerful example of how to navigate these challenges with unwavering resolve and compassion. This devotional explores how we can follow His example and stay true to God’s purpose, even when the road is tough.

Scripture Reading:

“It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem and sent messengers before his face. They went and entered into a village of the Samaritans, so as to prepare for him. They didn’t receive him, because he was traveling with his face set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from the sky and destroy them, just as Elijah did?’ But he turned and rebuked them, ‘You don’t know of what kind of spirit you are. For the Son of Man didn’t come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.’ They went to another village.” — Luke 9:51-56 (WEBBE)

Reflection: In this passage, we see Jesus steadfastly setting His face towards Jerusalem, fully aware of the suffering that awaited Him there. His resolve was unshakable, knowing that His mission was to fulfill God’s plan of salvation. Along the way, He encountered rejection from the Samaritans, who refused to welcome Him because He was headed to Jerusalem.

In response, the disciples, James and John, were quick to react with anger, suggesting a destructive solution by calling down fire from heaven. But Jesus rebuked them, reminding them of the true nature of His mission. He had not come to bring destruction but salvation. Jesus’ response teaches us a profound lesson about staying true to God’s purpose, even in the face of rejection or opposition.

When we encounter resistance or hostility, it can be tempting to respond with anger or seek retribution. However, Jesus’ example shows us that we are called to embody the spirit of love and grace. Our mission, like His, is to bring life, hope, and salvation to those around us, not to destroy or condemn.

Application:

• Examine Your Reactions: How do you respond when faced with rejection or opposition? Are you quick to react in anger, or do you seek to respond with the grace and love of Christ?
• Stay Focused on God’s Mission: Just as Jesus set His face towards Jerusalem, we too must remain focused on the mission God has given us, even when the path is difficult.
• Embrace a Spirit of Grace: Jesus came to save, not to destroy. Let this spirit of grace guide your interactions with others, especially when you are met with hostility.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for setting Your face towards Jerusalem and embracing the cross for our salvation. Help us to follow Your example, staying true to the mission You have given us. When we encounter rejection or opposition, give us the grace to respond with love rather than anger. May our lives reflect Your saving grace to everyone we meet. Amen.

Scripture:
Luke 9:46-50 (WEBBE)
“There arose an argument among them about who was the greatest of them. Jesus, perceiving the reasoning of their hearts, took a little child, and set him by his side, and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For whoever is least among you all, this one will be great.” John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Don’t forbid him, for he who is not against us is for us.”

Reflection:

In this passage, we encounter a moment of revelation about true greatness and inclusion in the Kingdom of God. The disciples are arguing about who among them is the greatest, a reflection of their struggle with pride and status. Jesus uses this moment to teach them—and us—a profound lesson about the nature of true greatness and the inclusivity of His mission.

The Quest for Greatness: The disciples’ argument about who is the greatest reveals a common human tendency to seek status and recognition. Their focus on greatness is misplaced, as it reflects a misunderstanding of Jesus’ teachings about leadership and service.

The Lesson of the Child: Jesus takes a child and places him beside Himself, using this act to illustrate a radical redefinition of greatness. In Jesus’ view, greatness in the Kingdom of God is not about power or status but about humility, receptivity, and service. By receiving and valuing a child—someone considered insignificant in society—Jesus shows that true greatness comes from a heart that embraces the least and serves others selflessly.

Receiving Jesus and the Father: Jesus connects receiving the child with receiving Him and, by extension, the One who sent Him. This teaches us that our treatment of others, especially those considered lowly or insignificant, reflects our relationship with Jesus and God the Father. It underscores the idea that our faith and relationship with God are expressed in how we treat and serve others.

Inclusivity of the Mission: John’s report about stopping someone from casting out demons in Jesus’ name because he was not part of their group reveals an attitude of exclusivity. Jesus corrects this by stating, “He who is not against us is for us.” This highlights the inclusive nature of Jesus’ mission and the need to recognize and support those who are working to advance God’s Kingdom, even if they are not part of our immediate circle.

Personal Application: As we reflect on this passage, we are invited to reconsider our own attitudes toward greatness and inclusivity. Are we seeking status and recognition, or are we embracing humility and service? How do we respond to those who are working for God’s Kingdom, even if they are not part of our immediate group? Are we treating others with the love and respect that reflects our relationship with Jesus?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we thank You for teaching us about true greatness through the example of the child. Help us to embrace humility and service in our pursuit of greatness, and to recognize that true greatness comes from valuing and serving others selflessly. Guide us to be inclusive in our support of those who work for Your Kingdom, regardless of their affiliation with us. May our actions reflect our relationship with You and the Father, and may we live in a way that honors Your call to greatness through humility and love. In Your name, Amen.

Application:

• Reflect on your own understanding of greatness. Are there areas in your life where you are seeking status or recognition? How can you shift your focus to embrace humility and service?
• Consider how you respond to those who are working for God’s Kingdom. Are you supportive and inclusive, or do you tend to exclude those who are not part of your immediate group?
• Evaluate your treatment of others, especially those who are considered lowly or insignificant. How can you better reflect your relationship with Jesus through your interactions and service?

Verse for Meditation:
“Whoever is least among you all, this one will be great.” (Luke 9:48, WEBBE)

Scripture:
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 (WEBBE)
“John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he wasn’t following us.” But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able soon after to speak evil of me. For whoever is not against us is on our side. For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward. “Whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, than having your two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, than having your two feet to be cast into hell. If your eye causes you to stumble, cast it out. It is better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell, where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.”

Reflection:

In this passage, Jesus addresses issues of inclusion, humility, and radical commitment to discipleship. He uses vivid imagery and strong language to convey the seriousness of following Him and the importance of recognizing those who are working in His name.

Inclusion and Unity: John reports that they tried to stop someone who was casting out demons in Jesus’ name because he was not part of their group. Jesus rebukes this narrow-mindedness, emphasizing that anyone who does mighty works in His name is on their side. This teaches us about the broad scope of God’s work and the need for unity within the body of Christ. We should recognize and support those who are genuinely advancing God’s Kingdom, even if they are not part of our immediate circle.

Small Acts of Faithfulness: Jesus highlights that even a small act of kindness, like giving a cup of water in His name, will not go unnoticed or unrewarded. This underscores the value of simple, faithful actions done for His sake. It’s a reminder that every act of service and every expression of support for His mission matters.

Seriousness of Sin: Jesus uses stark, graphic imagery to illustrate the gravity of leading others astray and the seriousness of dealing with sin. The warning about causing “one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble” indicates the importance of safeguarding the faith of others, particularly those who are new or vulnerable in their belief.

Radical Commitment: The call to cut off a hand, foot, or eye if they cause us to stumble highlights the radical nature of discipleship. Jesus is not advocating literal self-mutilation but is emphasizing the need for serious and decisive action against sin in our lives. The metaphor underscores that it is better to make difficult sacrifices now in order to gain eternal life than to cling to sin and face eternal consequences.

Personal Application: As we reflect on this passage, we are invited to evaluate our own attitudes and actions in light of Jesus’ teaching. Are we inclusive and supportive of others who are working for God’s Kingdom? Are we attentive to our own actions and how they affect others’ faith? How are we addressing sin in our own lives, and are we willing to make radical changes to follow Jesus more faithfully?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your teachings on inclusion, humility, and the seriousness of discipleship. Help us to recognize and support those who work in Your name, even if they are not part of our immediate group. Teach us to value even the smallest acts of kindness and service done for Your sake. Guide us in making serious and decisive actions against sin in our lives, so that we may live in a way that honors You and leads others faithfully. Give us the courage to embrace the radical call to discipleship and to pursue Your Kingdom with all our hearts. In Your name, Amen.

Application:

• Reflect on your attitude towards those who serve God in different ways or from different traditions. Are you open and supportive, or do you tend to exclude those who are not part of your group?
• Consider the small acts of service and kindness you can offer in Jesus’ name. How can you be more intentional in serving others and advancing His Kingdom?
• Evaluate how you address sin in your life. Are there areas where you need to make radical changes to live more faithfully and avoid causing others to stumble?

Verse for Meditation:
“Whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.” (Mark 9:41, WEBBE)