Friday, June 04, 2021

Advance team


Luke 10:1-12…

The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him… where he himself was about to go. Jesus told them to pray about sending laborers into the harvest, and just as it was with the twelve that were sent out, they were going to be part of the answer to their own prayers. The best prayers have legs. We put our hands together to pray for the harvest, and stretch our hands out to gather it.

I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. When God sends His servants, it is with vulnerability. They were going with power, but they were not supposed to be storing up provisions, or making advance preparations.  They were to be sending, spreading, and looking for peace, the resonance of God’s Spirit among the places and people they would encounter. They were lambs among wolves looking for other lambs. We are not to be slipshod evangelists, planning is fine, but even the best laid plans are in God’s hands. The point is that we are always to be ready, and current accommodation and accoutrement are not our necessary tools (1 Peter 3:15 / 2 Timothy 2:15 / Colossians 4:5-6 / Philemon 1:6).

As God’s child, as a witness to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, you are an ambassador, a royal messenger of the King. But be sure that people will have divided reactions when you bring the message of Jesus to them. Some will receive Him, and embrace His messengers. Others will revile Him, and be enraged against His messengers (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2). Those who do receive you will rejoice with you and refresh you. But the word of peace will not settle in those whose hearts are at war with God.

You are the advance team, welcoming the sons of peace, and warning the sons of perdition.  Your message: The King is coming! Make way in your heart, or lose your soul. 

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