Scripture: Luke 9:7–9
Old Testament Pairing: Malachi 4:5–6
Friday: Sent with a Purpose
For those of you that rise early - apollogies for the gramar and spelling yesterday - I fixed it about 0630. lol
The scripture in Luke discusses the rising fear in King Herod. We all know what happens next through his indirect (or indirect orders) to the Sanhedrin to keep an eye out and to take care of this problem. The rest of Luke walks us through the antics of the Pharisees.
I’d rather spend the time today talking about Why we get sent – not just what we say or do.
Jesus didn’t send the disciples out aimlessly—He gave them a clear purpose. They were to proclaim the kingdom of God, heal the sick, and bring hope to the hurting. Their mission was rooted in God’s plan for redemption, a plan that continues through us today.
Our mission is the same but we need to see it in a very different context.
Historical Context
In first-century Jewish culture, being “sent” carried profound significance. A person sent as an emissary represented the authority of the one who dispatched them. Today we might call this person an ambassador – acting at the word of the President or King.
The 12 sent out by Jesus were “Ambassadors.” It is an important distinction – they are not disciples at this point. Disciples are students. Jesus sent them as Apostles!
The Greek word for apostle is apostolos, which means "one who is sent off" or "messenger". It comes from the verb apostéllein, meaning "to send off".
It is critical to understand that the Apostles are not acting on their own—they were representatives of Jesus, carrying His authority and message.
That message comes with authority. Just as an ambassador relaying a message from a president.
What kind of authority? Well, to deny the message was to deny the sender of the message. I mentioned this briefly a few days ago – but this is the key to this scripture.
In Luke 12:9 Jesus says "But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God".
The gravity of this statement is equally severe when it comes from the Apostles that have been sent! Get it. You deny the messenger – you are denying Jesus – denying Jesus means to deny God.
For a Jewish person to deny God is to not be Jewish but Pagan. Hence the need to clean the dust off those dirty sandals.
It is not clear if the “disciples” realized the seriousness of how they were sent. They come back a bit too somber for me. Perhaps their successes were mixed. We know they have problems later casting out a fierce demon.
But I am droning on now…. sorry
Modern Context
We, too, are sent with purpose. Every believer has a role to play in God’s mission, whether through sharing the gospel, serving others, or using their gifts to glorify Him.
When we are purposefully “sent” to deliver a message – perform a service – or sweep the floor, WE have to be mindful of the sender!
When we are doing discipleship - we are speaking for the sender. Those that would deny the message are doing more than denying you.
Sigh – and that’s what makes mission work hard. That is what makes being the sent humbling and complicated.
Most folks just blow it off when they are turned away. But if we are sincere in our “sending,” that person who denied you, denied something much bigger than you will ever be!
Kind of heavy hunh! Shalom – rejoice in that day! Luke 6:23 explains the rest!
Reflection
So – ask yourself this weekend, can you live as someone “sent” by Him, representing His love and truth in your daily life?
Figure that out then get ready – we are all called (to find our gifts) then sent to deliver them. Sometimes you have to shake the dust off your sandals!
Today’s Prayer
Lord, thank You for giving my life purpose.
Help me to live as someone sent by You, reflecting Your love and truth in everything I do.
Guide me as I seek to fulfill Your mission in my life.
Amen.
Old Testament Pairing: Malachi 4:5–6
Friday: Sent with a Purpose
For those of you that rise early - apollogies for the gramar and spelling yesterday - I fixed it about 0630. lol
The scripture in Luke discusses the rising fear in King Herod. We all know what happens next through his indirect (or indirect orders) to the Sanhedrin to keep an eye out and to take care of this problem. The rest of Luke walks us through the antics of the Pharisees.
I’d rather spend the time today talking about Why we get sent – not just what we say or do.
Jesus didn’t send the disciples out aimlessly—He gave them a clear purpose. They were to proclaim the kingdom of God, heal the sick, and bring hope to the hurting. Their mission was rooted in God’s plan for redemption, a plan that continues through us today.
Our mission is the same but we need to see it in a very different context.
Historical Context
In first-century Jewish culture, being “sent” carried profound significance. A person sent as an emissary represented the authority of the one who dispatched them. Today we might call this person an ambassador – acting at the word of the President or King.
The 12 sent out by Jesus were “Ambassadors.” It is an important distinction – they are not disciples at this point. Disciples are students. Jesus sent them as Apostles!
The Greek word for apostle is apostolos, which means "one who is sent off" or "messenger". It comes from the verb apostéllein, meaning "to send off".
It is critical to understand that the Apostles are not acting on their own—they were representatives of Jesus, carrying His authority and message.
That message comes with authority. Just as an ambassador relaying a message from a president.
What kind of authority? Well, to deny the message was to deny the sender of the message. I mentioned this briefly a few days ago – but this is the key to this scripture.
In Luke 12:9 Jesus says "But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God".
The gravity of this statement is equally severe when it comes from the Apostles that have been sent! Get it. You deny the messenger – you are denying Jesus – denying Jesus means to deny God.
For a Jewish person to deny God is to not be Jewish but Pagan. Hence the need to clean the dust off those dirty sandals.
It is not clear if the “disciples” realized the seriousness of how they were sent. They come back a bit too somber for me. Perhaps their successes were mixed. We know they have problems later casting out a fierce demon.
But I am droning on now…. sorry
Modern Context
We, too, are sent with purpose. Every believer has a role to play in God’s mission, whether through sharing the gospel, serving others, or using their gifts to glorify Him.
When we are purposefully “sent” to deliver a message – perform a service – or sweep the floor, WE have to be mindful of the sender!
When we are doing discipleship - we are speaking for the sender. Those that would deny the message are doing more than denying you.
Sigh – and that’s what makes mission work hard. That is what makes being the sent humbling and complicated.
Most folks just blow it off when they are turned away. But if we are sincere in our “sending,” that person who denied you, denied something much bigger than you will ever be!
Kind of heavy hunh! Shalom – rejoice in that day! Luke 6:23 explains the rest!
Reflection
So – ask yourself this weekend, can you live as someone “sent” by Him, representing His love and truth in your daily life?
Figure that out then get ready – we are all called (to find our gifts) then sent to deliver them. Sometimes you have to shake the dust off your sandals!
Today’s Prayer
Lord, thank You for giving my life purpose.
Help me to live as someone sent by You, reflecting Your love and truth in everything I do.
Guide me as I seek to fulfill Your mission in my life.
Amen.
Posted in Pentecost 2025
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