Heralds Digest

“But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them. ” And they went to another village.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:55-56‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.9.55-56.nkjv While contending parties selfishly get concerned about their losses, the impact of broken relationships at home, state matters and in social networks is often borne mostly by third parties. The Samaritans that refused the entrant of Jesus Christ on the prospect of making provocative political statement on the strained relationship between Samaria and Jerusalem are possibly third-party victims. Yet, the disciples could not see beyond the impacts of these Samaritans’ actions on their Master’s Jerusalem entrant plan. When we are more concerned about people’s actions on our own progress plans, we are more likely tempted to severe strained relationships more than saving them. But when we are open to adjustments of our ...

“Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:49-50‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.9.49-50.nkjv Eye-service following is not just a disservice to the Master. It deprives the servants from the joy of service. While Jesus was busy trying to deflate the misconception relating to His perpetual physical presence with the disciples, the disciples were busy distracted by someone who was following without the infection of eye-service. It is true that Christian services and obligations, like praying, evangelism, offering of materials, money, and methodology for the expansion of the kingdom in a monitored environment encourages leadership and administration. Unfortunately, those who cannot consistently giveaway their services unto the Lord without noticeable censorship are unfaithful follow...

“Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:41‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.9.41.nkjv The same reason why believers feel hopeless in the presence of Jesus is why they feel helpless in His absence. While Jesus was on the mount of transfiguration with Peter, James and John, the remaining nine disciples could not bear with the challenge of interfacing with the needs of people for deliverance from the oppression of the devil. The major problem was not the helplessness from the absence of Jesus; but rather their hopelessness even while Jesus was with them. Every fellowship opportunity with the Lord offers the possibility of building the hope of being like Jesus through faith and trust in all His promises. Likewise, the perceived absence of Jesus in times of difficulty and the challenges of life provides the platform for exercising our faith and confidence to perform. Unfo...

“But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:32-33‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.9.32-33.nkjv The craving for the glassy glory from wealth, position, and earthly achievements, instead of cultivating an intimate relationship with God, is no strange phenomenon to every sincere believer. Even when the body finds attendance in religious activities, the heart often find attraction to the demands for the glassy glory, just for recognition and relevance in the presence of man. The experience of Peter, James and John during a privileged fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and before the revelation of a better glory, was nothing different. “But...when they...

“Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me...But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:23, 27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.9.23,27.nkjv Literally, seeing the kingdom of God before tasting death is desirable; but realistically, there is a penalty of suffering for the flesh before such a glorious revelation can be accessed. For example, the scriptural account of martyrdom for Stephen, Paul, John the Beloved and many disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ provides the revelation of the kingdom of God at the height of painful suffering and intense persecution. In principle, the lovely lane in this world would embrace everything glamorous and without a call for cross bearing. Jesus had just revealed His true path of suffering, shame and death on the cross unto the disciples before calling for volunteers on the lonely...

“When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.” But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:12-13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.9.12-13.nkjv Social responsibility that is powered by the declaration of surplus can sometimes touch the needs of the people. Most times, however, surplus substances are unable to connect the givers with the hearts of the receivers. When the disciples admonished Jesus Christ to “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions”, they showed the limitation of driving reliable social responsibility on surplus substance. Whereas, Jesus taught the disciples that what the givers have in their ...

“Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick...So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:1-2, 6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://bible.com/114/luk.9.1-2,6.nkjv Jesus here taught the kingdom workers the basic principle of delegation. Clearly, true delegation is based on the designation of power and authority over demons rather than the mere distribution of the principles of administration. Little wonder that king Herod was quickly awakened by the violent takeover of the city by the force from the kingdom of God. Faithful men in our contemporary times have demonstrated the same power and authority that is inherent in delegated discipleship. Unfortunately, the exigencies of life have always constitute a distraction of engagements in undesignated districts by the delegates of the kingdom of God today. Dist...