4/4/18 – Deuteronomy 1, Deuteronomy 2:1-23 Luke 9:57-62, Luke 10:1-24 Psalm 41:1-6
Luke 9:62
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Some aren’t compelled sold on the mission. They have doubts, they makes excuses.
Jesus encountered many excuses. I need to bury my father – I need to say goodbye to my family. On the surface they seem like reasonable requests – but both were just excuses to say “later – not now”.
Jesus is looking for people committed to the mission, not putting their hadn’t to the plough, but looking back because their heart is not in it. It’s focused elsewhere.
It’s harsh, but if you aren’t sold out… then you don’t quite get it. Jesus said if you aren’t totally into it, you aren’t fit or ready for the kingdom.
What’s your excuse? Family? Work? Kids? They are all real things, but sometimes they are also a convenient excuse – they do matter. But none should matter more than Him.
Luke 10:19-20
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
God gave us authority to step out and see the miraculous. It’s incredible! But let’s not get carried away with that. Miracles are great tools to use, divine protection is a wonderful thing to have with us… but let’s not get a false perspective.
None of this compares to the fact that our names have been written in the Lamb’s book of life. We may be protected from much that the world throws at us, but we are still going to die – but we also know where we are going!
Don’t get carried away that even evil spirits are subject to us… but keep focused on the kingdom of God.
