JULY 7, 2014
The
Jaws Of Death
Read: Luke 9:1-6
They departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel
and healing everywhere. —Luke 9:6
Lauren
Kornacki is glad she took that summer CPR class, but she probably never thought
she would have to use it so soon and on someone she loves. Her father was
repairing his car when the jack slipped and the car fell on him. Lauren, a
22-year-old, reportedly heroically lifted the 3,300-pound car enough to pull
him from underneath! Then she kept him alive with CPR until the paramedics
arrived.
Far
greater than Lauren’s rescue of her father from the jaws of death is Jesus’
rescue of us from the clutches of sin by His death and resurrection. When Jesus
sent the 12 disciples to carry out His work, He gave them the assignment to
preach the good news of God’s desire to rescue people (Luke 9:1-6). They would
not carry this out in their own strength, but Jesus would lift the heavy burden
of people’s sin as they taught about Him. Their preaching and healing in Jesus’
power and authority proved that Jesus had actually brought God’s rule to earth.
Many
today are trapped under the weight of sin, but our great God can rescue us from
underneath those burdens and then send us into the world to tell others that He
can set them free.
Thinking
It Over
Do you
know someone who is trapped under the
burden
of sin and needs Jesus’ rescue? In what
practical
ways can you be an active agent of Jesus’ love?
Those
who’ve been rescued from sin are best able to help in the rescue of others.
Insight
Luke
records that Jesus gave the disciples “power and authority” (9:1). He does not
relate the specific situations the disciples faced or the people’s reaction to
these 12 new miracle workers who were suddenly working in Israel. Instead, Luke
simply found it important to record, “So they departed and went through the
towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere” (v.6). Luke’s emphasis was
on Jesus. He was the one who gave His disciples the authority. It’s important
to remember that power and authority are always His to give.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
