Heralds Digest

“Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it. ”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:23-24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/bible/114/luk.10.23-24.nkjv It is a well-known fact that one of the greatest benefits of friendship is access to privileged information. However, privileged information is classified into different categories depending on the granted level of access. For obedient disciples and the returning followers on short missionary assignment, even Master Jesus was excited about the granted level of access to privileged information from the Father about the kingdom of God. Intimate relationship with God through the privilege of prayer and meditation on His promises enables the detailed understanding of secret things (privileged information). Many believers may be contented with the privilege ...

“Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”...Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:17, 20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/bible/114/luk.10.17,20.nkjv In pursuits of spiritual power and authority over the demons and the power of darkness, believers are easily distracted by celebration of every sign of victory over the kingdom of darkness. The same experience of celebration was exhibited by the seventy disciples after a successful outreach under the influence of Christ’s authority. However, Christ quickly revealed the right sense of celebration for everyday believers: freedom to follow Christ into His kingdom. When the scriptures revealed that there is joy in heaven over every soul that get freed from the kingdom of darkness, it implies that the greatest achievement in life is the salvation of souls from the grip of he...

“Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/bible/114/luk.10.4.nkjv One of scriptural illustrations of assignment-specific instructions in discipleship is demonstrated by the commissioning of other seventy disciples on evangelistic outreaches to cities, where Jesus Christ was scheduled to visit. No one can contest the resultant benefits of the peace of mind, if the heart of man can be absolutely free from the pressure of planning and pursuing the basic necessities of life. In one of these particular missions, Christ instructed them to “Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road” because these necessities will not be needed, including the unnecessary in-transit socialization. Frankly, there is generally nothing wrong in socialization. It is always one of the strongest avenues for evangelism (they were actually able to fulfil the commission at the delivery points b...

“And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:61-62‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.9.61-62.nkjv In our fast-paced world, the ability to multitask efficiently is considered one of the great virtues of productivity in management. Resources and attentions are necessarily divided among different lines of projects, albeit with different scale of preferences and quality expectations. Unfortunately, the concept of multitasking is refuted by Jesus Christ as an asset in kingdom service. He pointedly preferred fit followers to fair followers, demanding all of His disciple’s commitments or none of theirs. While fit followers of the Cross are not necessarily forbad from necessary social engagements, family commitments, and community responsibilities, they do not need to pursue a leave of absenc...

“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...