Over the last week we have been very slowly working through the words that Jesus said to his disciples as he sent them out. This has been purposeful, to really emphasise the details of Jesus’ message and to understand important truths about what it means to follow him. In today’s passage, Jesus finishes his speech to the disciples by talking about the reward for those who receive his followers. He says that when anyone receives one of his disciples, they are really receiving Jesus.
This short, yet rich passage reveals three mind blowing truths:
Obedience changes our identity. You are a representative of God. Jesus’ final words would be to the church, that we should also go to the world and make disciples. When we do this, living as ‘sent ones’ we are not representing ourselves but God himself. We do not act in our own authority but in the authority of the one who sent us. You are the presence of Jesus in your community and the way that people treat us is as if they were treating God that way.
Obedience changes our authority. This is the life modelled by Jesus. He reveals that what he asks of us is the same as what God asks of him. He is sent by God and obedient to his commands. We are sent by Jesus and are also to obey his commands. Jesus’ power and miracles were a result of his obedience and not his divinity. It is only when we obey that we step into the authority that Jesus offers us.
Obedience changes our impact. Through our obedience and interactions with people around us, we give them the opportunity to respond to God through us. Before we even pray, share, or do anything Jesus promises to bless people who support and encourage our work. As we represent Him in this world, he promises to always reward those who bless him. Our obedience releases blessings.
Reflect
- What does it mean to be a representative of God?
- What does obedience to God look like?
Respond
Read this old Methodist prayer out loud:
I am no longer my own, but Yours.
Put me to what you will, rank me with whom You will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering;
let me be employed for You, or laid aside for You,
exalted for You, or brought low for You;
let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to Your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
You are mine and I am Yours. So be it.
And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
