Lenten Devotional
I was missing a few days due to other requirements, but today's reading is full of two fascinating teachings on the church. They revolve around the twelve disciples and there teaching. The first revolves around the practical teachings of the disciples.
The twelve are given an opportunity to practice all they have been taught by being sent out in pairs. This is just as important form us today. The twelve are given specific instructions as to how to conduct themselves as they travel.
"he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere."
This is a practical way for all people being trained to follow Jesus. We need to give them a mentor who has spent time already deep in Jesus' teaching and walking his ways. Then the mentor guides and leads the newer followers of Jesus in the ways of Jesus teaching and giving opportunities to practical in real ways. This is a training system still used in the building and construction trades today.
The second moment is when they were sitting after the first experience and the twelve were asked about what they believed about Jesus. The list of what others believe is long, but Peter comes up with an astonishing statement. He declares that Jesus is the messiah, the son of God. This is a point of drastic change for the life of the twelve disciples and the work of Jesus. From this point all the Gospels take a turn towards what we know to be the culmination of Jesus' mission and life.
This same question is asked of us. What do you say about me? There are still people today who will give all the multiple answers given in Jesus' time. We are asked the question of Jesus' reality in our life as the foundation of how we will live and work. The question is simple, but the implications are profound.
