As we come to chapter 9 of Luke this Sunday, we’ll see a new development in Jesus’ ministry. Up to this point, he has been the one healing and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God and his disciples have been watching. This week we’ll see him give his power and authority to them and send them out to do the same in his name.

This is the first glimpse we get of Jesus’ plan not just to make disciples, but to make disciples who will make disciples. It’s like a sneak preview of the Great Commission that he will give them after his resurrection.

I frequently marvel over God’s plan to call people from every tribe and tongue and nation through us, sinners saved by grace.

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us (2 Corinthians 5:18–20).”

What an amazing gift God has entrusted to deeply flawed and deeply dependent people. But it’s all part of his wise plan. As Paul reminds us, “We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”

Randall Gruendyke will be preaching Luke 9:1-10 this Sunday and our sung worship will be led by Jonathan Mills and Caleb Parker. Would you pray for them as they prepare?

See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!

---

SONG OF THE WEEK

For the Cause by Keith and Kristyn Getty

Christ we proclaim
The Name above every name
For all creation, every nation
God’s salvation through the Son!