Disciples Sent Out to Preach and Heal

 Prayer Practice

Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

DAILY READING

Luke 9:1-62

REFLECTION

Disciples Sent Out to Preach and Heal

by Pastor Jeff Morlock

Jesus’ disciples have received his teaching and witnessed his authority over disease and the demonic. Now Christ gives them the responsibility and authority to do what he himself has been doing - proclaim God’s kingdom and demonstrate its power (verses 1-6). Jesus sends them without the necessary provisions of bread, money, or extra clothes, asking them to trust him for daily provision. Their faith will grow in proportion to their experience of  God’s faithfulness (verses 10-17). Of course, this is all preparation for the day when Jesus will ascend to heaven, and they’ll be given the task of taking the Gospel to the nations. Like their master, these disciples will receive from God a cross and a crown (verses 23-27). And as they obey him, they'll experience his triumph and truth (verses 37-45).

This is a long passage, but its bottom line is simple: to answer Jesus’ call is to be in over your head and out of your comfort zone. When you go in the authority he provides, with his promises in your heart and on your lips, when you dare to speak his good news in word and deed to the people around you, you’ll be desperate for the Lord to supply even the simplest of needs. Are you desperate yet? If what Jesus asks of his disciples then and now seems risky, consider this: you, me, and all of us together are like a conduit that the Spirit of God uses to deliver his grace and power to those trapped by sin and its consequences. So the real question is, “What blocks the flow of the Spirit's power in your life and mine? What blocks the flow of the Spirit's power in our life together as church?”

Joining Jesus in his mission always demands adjustments of us. Our text highlights four attitude adjustments that are necessary in order for Jesus’ disciples to be conduits of the Spirit who are able to effectively reach others for the kingdom. Spend some time reading, praying and meditating on the need for these adjustments. Which one is most applicable for you right now?

- He turns us from pride to humility (verses 46-48)
- He turns us from tribalism to cooperation (verses 49-50)
- He turns us from vengeance to mercy (verses 51-56)
- He turns us from security to sacrifice (verses 57-62)

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I confess that I have often been too comfortable and content to be sent. I’ve been silent when you’ve called me to speak, and timid about operating in the
authority you’ve given me. Please forgive me, and make the necessary adjustments
in my attitude, so that your Holy Spirit can freely flow through me to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and to set the oppressed free. In your holy name. Amen.

The Great Co-Mission

Matthew 28:18-20

If we are transformed by Christ, then we are called to put that transformation into action.  What good is being transformed if we don’t do something with it?!  We’re transformed for a reason and at the top of the list is discipleship.

Now I’m not talking about standing on a street corner, with a sign, shouting “Repent and be saved.”  That kind of discipleship doesn’t work for me, but I do like the idea of forming relationships with people and sharing my story.

In today’s passage, Jesus addresses the disciples and tells them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (v. 18).  That’s a powerful statement.  It demonstrates that Father and Son are one.  Jesus has all the power that God has and so what he’s about to say is not a suggestion, but a command.

Charles Spurgeon wrote “Power in the hands of some people is dangerous, but power in the hands of Christ is blessed.  Oh, let him have all power!  Let him do what he will with it, for he cannot will anything but that which is right, and just, and true and good.”

We can rest in the knowledge that what we’re called to do – teach others what we have been taught – is for the absolute good of the kingdom.  Although we may think we don’t have the right personality for discipleship or that we’ll use the wrong words and mess things up, Jesus assures us, like he did his apostles, … “I am with you always” (v. 20).

We are not alone as we carry out his mission, or rather, Co-Mission.  As we share his message, HE is the one leading the way.  He is the one giving us what we need to succeed.  It’s through the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit that we are called to use our transformation towards the transformation of others.  What a wonderful way to serve our God!

       

The Old Way Has to Go

And so I insist--and God backs me up on this--that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can't think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion. (Ephesians 4:17-19 MSG)

Does this speak to you? Statistics prove that professed Christians and their behaviors are no better than those who profess to be 'nones', having no religious affiliation. Don't you find it staggering how we, who call ourselves after Jesus Christ, don't try to act more like Him? 

True Discipleship, "doing the things Jesus did and saying the things Jesus said", can't be taught too often. Jesus died so we have a better way to live. Jesus died so we can live forever with Him. This sounds so trite and just what one might expect from a devotion like this, but...truth is truth.

Examine culture today. Who do we idolize, follow on Facebook, pattern our lives after? If you are over forty, think about life twenty year ago. What made you happy? What disgusted you? Now look at today and ask those same two questions. If you are over fifty or more than sixty, the answers are even more stunning.

Paul taught the people that things must change. Behaviors of our past need to reflect Jesus' influence on us. No more following the crowd. It is time to get our priorities right. We need to put emphasis on the saying, "they will know we are Christian by our love." Adding, they know we are Christian by our actions and by hearing our stories. 

Ephesians 4:17-19

Ledger Legacy

Matthew 28:18-20

When I was growing up, if I wanted something that cost money, I asked my Mom. That’s because my Dad grew up on a farm in Iowa where money was really tight. He learned very quickly how to count pennies to make ends meet.

He transferred that lesson to me. I still remember him sitting at his desk almost every night, writing entries into his ledger. He probably recorded every penny spent and every penny earned. I’m guessing he had columns for groceries, car, the house and probably one for me, since I was always getting Mom to buy me stuff.

However, he never sat down with me and explained his ledger. And yet, almost from the time I went to college I kept my own ledger. And before getting married, I put one together to make sure we could afford such a big step. I learned how to do this by watching my Dad over eighteen years. I guess you could say, I was his disciple.

God spoke these words to Moses to prepare His people for the Promised Land.

⁶ These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.    Deuteronomy 6:6-9 AMP

These verses were written to parents about raising their children. But they’ve been applied to rabbis and disciples; rabbis like Jesus and disciples like Peter, James and John… and you and me.

When Jesus first called his disciples he said, “Take up your cross daily and follow me”. When he left his disciples for the last time he said, “Go make disciples… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Being a disciple is a lifetime, two-way street. First you are a disciple; then you disciple others.

My Dad left a ledger legacy that he passed on to me, and in turn, I passed on to my daughter. What does it mean to “make disciples”? Do like my Dad did; set an example, live it out daily, and talk about it. When you do that, your children, your neighbors, your co-workers will see what it means to be a disciple, and those with faith will follow.

Discipleship Training, Jesus’ Style

Bible reading: Mark 6: 7-13

 

The disciples had been spending much time with Jesus, being … discipled. J  He taught them in many ways, by preaching and teaching, through parables, by healings and other miracles, and most of all, by means of example.  He revealed truths about Himself and the Kingdom of Heaven, as this band of men moved around together from place to place.

 

Now it was time for the 12 disciples’ first practicum of their on-the-job training! They were deemed ready enough to share and serve, as they had observed Jesus doing. He sent them out two-by-two (for mutual support perhaps?) with a list of instructions:

1)      Take nothing with you except the clothes on your backs, sandals, and a staff

2)      Choose only one house per town as your base headquarters during your stay (find people of peace to rest your peace on)

3)      Don’t stick around any place that does not welcome you or listen to you

4)      Remember that I am sending you out in my authority and power

 

What life lessons did Jesus want His disciples to learn through this experience?

1)      Depend on the hospitality of those you minister to (Matt 10:10 – for a worker is worthy of his support); My Father will provide what you need through them.

2)      Work only with those who are open to learning – look for people who want to hear, learn and be discipled. Stay with them for a period of time to give opportunity for them to both observe your life in Me as well as help provide your needs. Allow a give and take relationship to develop between you.

3)      Don’t waste your time trying to convince someone to be a disciple who isn’t ready for commitment to discipleship. Move on to help those eager to grow.

4)      Know that in My power and authority you can do anything: preach such that people repent and turn to Me; cast out demons; heal sick people everywhere you go.

 

This is Discipleship Training at its best, taught by the Master Trainer Himself! We would do well to study more about how Jesus chose, taught, and sent out His disciples – that we may learn to be and to make disciples more effectively.

All For the Glory of God

1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

…Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (v. 31) pretty much sums things up for Christians.  It’s our bottom line - or at least, it should be.

In today’s passage, Paul addresses the idea that people believe they have the right to do anything they want.  While it’s true we have our own free will and CAN choose what we want, it doesn’t mean we SHOULD.  As he says, our choices are not always beneficial or constructive.

Humans make some really bad decisions, especially when they don’t have faith as a guiding force. Even seasoned believers, when left to their own devices, can really screw things up.  It’s so easy to get caught up in the ME, ME, ME world.  Everything seems to point back to us.  We work to better ourselves, to make money for ourselves, to take care of ourselves, but we’re missing the point.

Life is not meant for self, it is meant for others and the glory of God.  Ugh! But that means I have to stop and think about others first and consider their well-being over mine?!

Paul was all about the ME life before he made a complete turnaround in his thinking.  Once he knew the power of salvation, he couldn’t help but want to share what he’d learned with others.  Now, not all of us have a fall on the ground, blinding light kind of conversion, but once our eyes are opened to Christ’s transforming power, it’s hard not to want to share it with others.

Paul followed the ultimate example of Christ and in turn wanted the people in Corinth to follow his example.  This is what discipleship looks like.  One person inviting another to follow their lead towards Christ. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved (v. 33).

May we all lead by example and whatever we do, do it all for the glory of God.  What a wonderful world it would be, without all the ME, ME, ME!

 

Jesus Rules / We Live

A few weeks ago, Joe, our Saturday blog writer, asked me to write for him this day. I didn't recognize the significance of February 24th at that time. This is my baby brother's birthday. He has been with Jesus for 9 years now. It is also the 7th anniversary of my husband's memorial service. He, too, is with Jesus.

I read the selected text for today and knew God was in these details. 

My brother and my husband had lots in common. They were both men with painful childhoods that carried over into their adult life. They both spent years running; my brother by globetrotting, and my husband by carrying the pain of war. They were adults when they came to a face to face meeting with Jesus. I don't know their respective stories of the moment when it all changed, but I was on the sidelines praying and celebrating.

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb" (Revelation 22:1) The water of life is a symbol of eternal life. 

"On each side of the river stood the tree of life." (Revelation 22:2) The tree of life is like the tree in the Garden of Eden. 

I am thankful someone took the time to share the Gospel with these two men. They are both able to soar on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31). I am equally thankful that someone did the same for me and then took the time to develop this faith, to walk alongside me and to correct, comfort, and commend me when appropriate - that is called Discipleship.

Revelation 22:1-5

Jump!

Titus 3:3-8

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus%203%3A3-8&version=NIV;NLT

 

 

Might as well jump. Jump!           Go ahead, jump.
Might as well jump. Jump!           Go ahead, jump.

In 1984, the rock group Van Halen, released a song by the title of Jump. The chorus wasn’t real creative.

 

 

My daughter was 4 years old at the time. After dinner I used to play the record really loud and we would jump around together. When it came to the chorus, I would lift her up by both hands singing “Jump”! While she would laugh and giggle.

 

Today, when either of us hear the song come on the radio, that person will get the other on the phone, crank up the volume so that we can both hear it and relive the memory. We’ve been doing this for years.

 

That’s an example of how you invest in your children; how you invest in your spouse; how you invest in those you love. By spending time with them; pointing them in the right direction; doing everyday things together.

 

Titus was assigned to disciple the churches that Paul founded on the island of Crete. There are many instructions in this letter including how to set up Elders and how to

relate to various groups of people. But none are more critical than these.

 

When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, ⁵ he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. ⁶ He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. ⁷ Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.         NLT

 

Of all the things Titus could do for the believers on the island of Crete, the most important was to point them to Christ. Of all the things you or I can do for others, the most important is to point them to Christ.

 

My daughter will soon give birth to her third child, or I should rephrase that to say “our third grandchild”. I’m not sure she has introduced her kids to Jump, but for sure she has pointed them to Christ. Let us do the same for those who the Lord has brought into our lives to love and to serve.

 

 

 

 

Shocking Grace

Mark 2:13-17

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%202%3A13-17&version=NIV;NLT

 

When was the last time you ate with a bunch of “sinners”? Jesus’ ministry model was to spend time with “sinners” that nice, religious people wouldn’t want to associate with. Jesus looked at people differently.

 

In Matthew 20, Jesus told the parable of the vineyard keeper who paid the men who worked 1 hour the exact same wage as the men who worked 11 hours! It was an illustration of what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. A friend of mine referred to it as “shocking grace”. But that’s what grace is like; it’s shocking!

 

Tax collectors were considered to be the scum of the earth by Pharisees and other righteous Jews. They were thought of as traitors who turned on their own people because they collected taxes on behalf of the Romans. Levi recognizes that he is the recipient of shocking grace.

 

²⁷ Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his

tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. ²⁸ So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.      Luke 5:27-28 NLT

 

Following the pattern of Peter, James and John, who left their fishing business to follow Jesus, Levi left everything to become a disciple of Jesus. And Levi wanted his friends, who also happened to be “sinners”, to hear about this shocking grace; to meet Jesus face to face; to find out what it meant to be a disciple of Jesus.

 

²⁹ Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.   Luke 5:29 NIV

 

How can we duplicate Levi’s example? With whom has God brought into your life? Placed on your heart? A co-worker or neighbor or friend or someone on the periphery of church life? Jesus was always reaching out to sinners; and those sinners reached out to their friends.

 

That’s called discipleship.

 

That’s called “shocking grace”.

 

 

 

 

Fellowship of Believers

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

This had to have been a great time in history. While deep in mourning, the followers of Jesus were given the gift of The Holy Spirit. They began to move forward, surfacing out of the depths of despair over the great loss suffered and started sharing their gift with all who would listen.

I wonder if these actions helped them find peace. Their new existence, new purpose following the death and Resurrection of Jesus provided a reason to get up in the morning - they had a job to do - just and we do.  "Go therefore and make disciples."

Back up just a bit and read from verse 40, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." These words are pertinent to today's time in history, for we are truly a 'corrupt generation.' How did we get here? What changed to bring us to this point in time, to this place of evil and self-satisfying behaviors? Or better question to ask is how do we return to a kinder gentler era?

It will only happen when we are open to a change of heart. It all begins when we open our hearts to the Spirit and reach out to others in love and kindness - when we practice Discipleship once again.

In Genesis 4:9 God asks Cain where his brother is and Cain responds with the famous line, "Am I my brother’s keeper?"  Today in the second chapter of Acts we learn that Jesus expects us to be just that, our brother’s keeper.'  

As members of a Body of Believers who believe that we are each other's keepers, this body will have an impact on society.  That caring fellowship will be a witnessing fellowship.  Where do I sign up?

 Acts 2:42-47

“What do you want me to do for you”?

 “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Matthew 20:29-34

 

Wouldn’t you say that Jesus was pretty observant? He had an uncanny ability to know what people were really thinking. He was able to see behind the masks that people wear to hide their true self, and understood what was actually motivating them. He could look into your soul, and know what your greatest need was.

 

So then, why did he ask the two blind men, “What do you want me to do for you”?

 

Was he preoccupied with what was going to happen to him in Jerusalem? Maybe he was distracted by the large crowd around him? Or, was he still upset that two of his closest disciples had just asked the most self-centered question possible right after he had told them he was going to be crucified? I don’t think so.

 

I believe that he was making a point. It was obvious that these men were blind, and despite their handicap, they knew who Jesus was. By calling him the “Son of David”, they were using a title that referred to the anticipated Messiah. It would have been easy for Jesus to just walk up to them and heal them; but he didn’t.

 

The passage tells us that “Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes”. Jesus always had a personal touch when he ministered or healed. He interacted with the woman at the well; with Nicodemus; with the woman who dried her tears on his feet. In other words, he had a personal relationship with them.

 

The same is true for us. Jesus desires to know us personally. He wants to interact with us. He wants us to admit our need; to recognize who he is and to approach him, not like he is a celestial genie in a bottle, but as our Lord and Savior.

 

There is a booklet titled “My Heart, Christ’s Home” by Robert Boyd Munger. In it, he compares our life to the rooms of a house. He suggests that Jesus wants to interact with us in every room; but mainly that he wants to fellowship with us.

 

Revelation 3:20 states, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends”. Jesus is constantly standing at the door of your heart and knocking, not just as your Savior, but also as your Lord. Will you open the door for him?

 

He asks us every day, “What do you want me to do for you”. What will your answer be? Will you ultimately respond like the blind men who once Jesus touched their eyes, “immediately they received their sight and followed him”?

 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2020%3A29-34&version=NIV;NLT

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Matt.20.29-Matt.20.34

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s This Song About Daddy?

John 15:1-17

 

When my daughter was about eight years old we had a conversation one day while driving in the car. The radio was on and she asked what the song was about. I told her, ‘It was about love’. The next song came on and she asked the same question. I gave her the same answer. Love is always a popular topic for songs. But what does it mean?

 

People say that they love the Buckeyes. Because of that, they spend hundreds, if not

thousands, of dollars on season tickets, tail gating, bowl games, clothing and memorabilia. Not to mention, hours watching the game and then hours talking about the game afterwards. Is that love?

 

Jesus gave us a standard, or measuring stick if you will, for love in today’s passage.

 

“I demand that you love each other as much as I love you. And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends; and you are my friends if you obey me.”           John 15:12-14 Living Bible

 

Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor. In his parable of the Good Samaritan, he

taught us that our neighbor could be someone we really don’t necessarily like. For instance, let’s say that you are a diehard Buckeye fan and you meet a Michigan fan. Is it harder to love that person than a fellow Buckeye?

 

What about someone who breaks into your house? Could you love them? Or someone who harms a family member? What about that person? How do YOU define your neighbor? The Pharisees had certain rules that wouldn’t allow them to help a Samaritan. Do you?

 

Jesus spoke the above words before the crucifixion so that the disciples didn’t have that perspective to understand what he was saying. But, with the fifty-fifty hindsight that we have, his words have more significance don’t they?

 

As an eight year old, my daughter asked me a very profound question that day. The

answer was just as profound. Jesus calls us, actually commands us, to love others like he loved us. I don’t know about you, but the measuring stick for love just got raised significantly higher.

 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2015%3A1-17&version=NIV;TLB
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/John.15.1-John.15.17

 

Lead a Life Worth Imitating

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. (John 13:12)

I believe this is a significant event for a couple of reasons. As Christians and Disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to imitate Him. We are to say the things He said and do the things He did. When He washed the feet of His disciples, he was serving them. We should do no less.

“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. (John 13:13-14)

When He was finished he spoke to his dear friends in an attempt to teach them how to treat one another. And more than that, He was teaching them about their mission on earth. He was teaching them what they needed to do after He was gone.

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:16-17) 

Jesus set the example, He showed them how to be servants, and instructed them not to think of themselves as better than anyone else. Jesus wasn't showing them how to be nice to each other, but He was showing them how to continue His work after He was gone. He was preparing them for tomorrow. And he was preparing us as well.


John 13:12-20

Bookends of Discipleship

Romans 15:1 (NIV) We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Romans 15:7 (NIV) Accept one another, the, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

These two verses serve as bookends, holding the content between them in place. We are to strive, not to please ourselves, but to bring praise to God. This is discipleship in action. The strength referred to here is faith.  We who are strong [in faith] ought to bear with those who aren't yet there. We are to come alongside and work with them because that is the example Jesus gave.

The five verses in between instruct us in how to do this. Each of us should please his neighbor, build him up. (v2) How often do we not even know our neighbor? Do we not even speak with him? Not because we are unfriendly, we just don't make it a priority.  Worse than that, we don't give them another thought. When convicted about this I have to stop and consider the tired but worthwhile phrase, "what would Jesus do?"  

So, what would Jesus do? Jesus would love them.  For us, we can begin by simply acknowledging we have neighbors. We can wave and call out a friendly greeting. We can strike up a conversation when we see them in their yard.  We can be kind and generous with our time. A smile and warm greeting go along way to building a relationship. 

Jesus didn't force himself on the crowds, He made himself available. We should do no less.

Read Romans 15:1-7 at www.biblegateway.com or in your own Bible.

To Be and to Make...

Acts 18: 24-25 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue.

Discipleship could be described as mentoring on steroids. Wikipedia says mentorship is a personal developmental relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps guide a less experienced or less knowledgeable person. True mentoring is more than just answering occasional questions, it is about an ongoing relationship of learning, dialogue, and challenge.

It is conspicuous that this same source, when asked to for a definition of discipleship, only speaks of Jesus and those who follow His teaching. Discipleship and following Christ are used synonymously. The site further points out discipleship entails transformation from some other World view and practice into that of Jesus Christ. 

When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.(Verse 26)

Priscilla and Aquila came alongside Apollos and began a mentoring and a discipling relationship. Apollos was knowledgeable, but there were a few things he had yet to learn.  Don't we all?  No matter how much schooling and personal experience I may possess, there is always more to be learned.  We are never too old or too smart to have a mentor.

It is also wise to know that we are to share the experience and knowledge we do possess, with others.  Every good mentor has a mentor.  When we add Jesus to that equation we have a Discipleship moment.  A true Disciple shares not only their knowledge but their lives. Especially their life with Jesus.  

When Priscilla and Aquila did this, they equipped Apollos for the work that had been set before him.

Acts 18:23-28

The Question Mark god.

Acts 17:22-23 (MSG)
So Paul took his stand in the open space at the Areopagus and laid it out for them. “It is plain to see that you Athenians take your religion seriously. When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, to the god nobody knows. I’m here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you’re dealing with.

Paul’s works are interesting to read. First he acknowledges the fact the Athenians believed in gods. Then he made note of the many hand-made shrines the idol worshipers constructed. He went so far as to recognize the inscription below one of the shrines: To the God Nobody Knows. What an opening this provided for Paul to share who this unknown God is.

Paul’s life reads like an amazing testimony, one that would open doors for Jesus to walk through. The fact the Athenians wanted to hedge their bets and be certain they didn't miss a god worthy of worship, they paid respect to a question mark god. This offered great opportunity for Paul to provide a name and a title to their unknown god.

Jesus was an unknown to us until someone shared the story. Many of us learned as children, some as young adults and still others more recently. The reason we wear the title, Christian, is because someone invested in our future. The Holy Spirit was working on our behalf so that we were ready to hear when someone told us the story of Jesus. 

That is discipleship at its finest.

Acts 17:16-34