on November 22, 2012
Luke 6:12-19 – One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.
Jesus was about to select key members to His team who would be responsible to represent the Kingdom of God to the whole world by becoming heavenly-minded and earthly good! Since this mission was all about redeeming mankind, it was essential that He select reliable men who would be qualified to teach others the truths of the Kingdom. So, one day He ascended to a mountainside to pray, and spent the entire night in heavenly places, praying. The next morning He called many of His disciples and chose a few (twelve) from among them to be His special agents, entrusted with the message of the Kingdom. His nightlong communion with the Father had clarified for Him those who would make up this team of Kingdom representatives, and Luke names the twelve men chosen to be His agents and messengers. The Kingdom of Heaven reached to earth and included humans of all kinds of backgrounds – even one that would eventually betray the King! These agents would be trained to make disciples of other reliable people who would in turn be qualified to teach others!
It’s somewhat intriguing to me that the Gospel writer describes the next place Jesus took the twelve as “a level place.” This simple little expression is easily lost in the narrative but describes the love of God in the simplest of terms – He came down to our level and made us equal with Himself! He found common ground with man. He embraced the crowds from all over the land, the diseased and those troubled by evil spirits, demonstrating that every soul mattered to God. The power of God flowed freely from Jesus and He healed them all! What grace! What humility! What power! That God should love sinners like us! He initiated the action that would put US on the same level with HIM! HE CAME DOWN to our level! He loved us right where we were, but too much to leave us there! Right there, on their level, Jesus healed and restored men and women to wholeness, letting them experience the power and love of God, and gave them freedom to live and relate to Him in a new way.
Thursday:
- Meet together with at least 1 or 2 other believers to enter the Throne Room of Grace.
Friday:
- Thank God for loving us humans enough to come down to our level – and then lift us up!
- Pray for the Good News families of the week: Jim & Dina Priester (A.J., Allison, Sammy), Paul & Karen Rose (Cora, Paul, Shayne), Dennis & Sherry Smith.
Saturday:
- Give thanks for God’s grace that embraces us – even while we are sinners!
Sunday:
- Give thanks to God for His compassion that heals our diseases and restores us to wholeness!
- Partner with us in “In Touch” Prayer meeting at the close of Worship Service.
Monday:
- Give thanks that God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through Him!
Tuesday:
- Give thanks that Christ, though He was rich became poor for our sakes, and though He was without sin He became sin for us!
Wednesday:
- Give thanks that He has chosen you to be an agent of His Kingdom to spread the Good News!
Prayer Challenge: Remember and give thanks that God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but rather to save the world through Him! WHOEVER believes is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the only begotten Son.
Remember and give thanks that, He who knew no sin, became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21) And now, let the weak say, “I am strong.” Let the poor say, “I am rich.” Because of what the Lord has done! Give thanks with a grateful heart! Give thanks unto the holy One! Give thanks, because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son!