March 7 | Luke 10:1-24

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DAILY READING

Luke 10:1-24

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REFLECTION

The Kingdom Has Arrived

by Ken Dillman

Where is Jesus going in our world today?

The simple answer is…everywhere. Jesus’ Great Commission to his disciples was to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:19-20)

Jesus is going to all the nations and people groups today. He has prepared a harvest and is recruiting laborers, like you and me, for his harvest field, just as he was when he walked in our world.

In today’s text, Jesus sends out 72 (70) disciples to go ahead of him to the towns where he would be arriving; he equipped them with special powers, those special powers were the evidence that the Kingdom of God had come into our world, and that Jesus was/is the King of that Kingdom.

As a “going people,” we believers are to take evidence of the Kingdom’s arrival with us today; our transformed life may be the most significant evidence that we can present to a world waiting to hear and understand the Kingdom of God has arrived, so that they can be part of it.

It’s easy to think that we need some formula or some methodology that we can walk a non-believer through, with the hopes that they become a disciple of Jesus and a laborer in the harvest. Jesus was clear to his disciples, they were to take nothing with them as they went; “no moneybag, no knapsack, and no sandals,” nothing that might cause them to depend upon themselves, rather than the Holy Spirit. Jesus also instructed the 72 (70) to, “greet no one on the road.” Jesus knew there would be distractions, often…people distractions, and he didn’t want his disciples to get caught up in the distractions and lose sight of the mission.

Our mission today is similar to the 72 (70), pursue more laborers for the Kingdom of God, because God is going everywhere in our world. It’s in the “making of disciples” that laborers emerge.

The Hebrew people had been anticipating the arrival of God’s Kingdom for many millennia; the prophets and kings in ancient times hoped to see what the disciples were now witnessing, God’s Kingdom on earth.

Our world also needs to see the Kingdom of God, its evidences, and its subjects living for the King, who is going throughout the world, adding disciples as the Kingdom expands.

PRAYER

Father, we pray that your kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven. We pray for the reign and rule of Jesus in the hearts of people, so that people are transformed more into the likeness of your Son Jesus. Please send out more laborers into YOUR harvest field. Send us!

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My wife, Karen and I have been attending UALC for 6-7 years and enjoy God's presence in our gatherings. We live in Hilliard; our three adult children live in Central Ohio. I am a retired Chaplain and Pastor, and enjoy writing, walking, jogging, and listening to live music. I appreciate the opportunity to write for the church’s devotionals.

MARCH 6 | LUKE 9:51-62

DAILY READING

Luke 9:51-62

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REFLECTION

In The Crosshairs

by Judy Webb

Jesus knew His time on earth was winding down. The cross was in view. He was already teaching His followers just how important their work on earth was going to be, especially after He was gone. Jesus worked to prepare them for the difficulties and troubles that would be part of their lives as His Disciples.

When those very people Jesus loved and tried to reach, turned on Him, the 12 wanted to lash out, but Jesus reprimanded them and gave them permission to just “shake the dust off their feet and move on.” (Matthew 10:14) Discipleship calls for absolute detachment from property and family and for single-mined devotion to Jesus that perseveres to the end. Christians are still called to this type of commitment today.

As we look around and see how those who don’t follow Jesus still seem to have much, we tend to equate worldly profit and comfort with faithful living. But God’s Word teaches us one does not guarantee the other. A faithful follower is not assured of an easy life. My degree of worldly comfort isn’t determined by my belief in Jesus, or my membership in the right church. Sometimes it seems quite the opposite is true.

As explained in a few commentaries: Discipleship isn’t for the faint of heart; it is an arduous affair. It demands resolve because it means rejection. It requires trusting God despite negative comments. Discipleship is not a second job, or a hobby. It is the product of God’s calling on our lives. Jesus tells us that sharing the Word of God with others is of infinitely greater importance. As the saying goes, if it were easy, everyone would do it!

Discipleship is the path to the Cross

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father,

Show us how to be real disciples of your Word. Teach us to read, study and then share with others all we understand. Show us how important our testimony is to someone seeking true meaning in Your Word.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.

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March 5 | Luke 9:46-50

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DAILY READING

Luke 9:46-50

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REFLECTION

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

By Katie Borden

Have you ever heard the phrase “work would be great if it weren’t for the people,” or similar tongue-in-cheek sentiments? I think of that phrase when I see how the disciples act in today’s passage (an experience I often have when I encounter the disciples in the Gospels!). How often must Jesus have been tempted to roll his eyes when hearing the bickering of his followers? In my sinful impatience, I am sure I would have thought, “oh great, another argument!” 

And that’s just the first two verses of the passage. Two verses later, the disciples’ indignance at the healing performed by others in the region demonstrates that the Twelve are, yet again, dissatisfied with the present conditions. 

Jesus, in his wisdom, attends to this griping not by addressing the issues as they are presented, but by going to the deeper issue. He sees past the argument over status and the appearance of righteous indignation. He sees through the thinly-veiled desperation for security. By turning the disciples’ understanding on its head, Jesus forces them to reckon with their idols of status and security.

I wonder how many idols we have placed on the thrones of our hearts? We may have cloaked them in theological terms or flowery spiritual language, but if we allow Jesus to diagnose our true condition, we will see that these impostors are robbing us of the joy of having the true King in his rightful place in our hearts.

Today is Ash Wednesday, a day when Christians historically have sat in recognition of their sin and mortality. We recognize that we are human. We recognize that God is God, and we are not. What might God be tenderly inviting you to acknowledge about your own condition and the condition of your heart today? You are safe to name your idols. You are safe to admit the truest things about yourself in the long and loving gaze of God. 

And.

God, in his goodness, does not leave us to chase these idols. As we open our hands and our hearts to the true King, we find that everything else we ever desired is found in him. Through the work of Jesus, God gives us status as his children and heirs of the true King. Through the work of Jesus, we have an eternal security that cannot be shaken. In Jesus, we find healing for our shame, a sense of belonging and purpose, and a place where we are safe. When we turn our eyes to Jesus, we find that we are and always have been dearly loved by God.

PRAYER

God, reveal to me the places where I have placed something else in a position of greater importance than you in my life. By your Spirit’s power, remove these idols and reorient my heart to you, to the one who gives true life. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KATIE BORDEN

I’m a lifelong member of UALC and have had the privilege of serving our community in both volunteer and staff roles over the years. I love learning, OSU football, good conversations, chocolate croissants, laughter, and sharing about the good news of Jesus in whatever capacity I can.

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