What Jesus Did! 'Preaching and Serving' — Luke 9:6

Thursday, June 1, 2023

[After Jesus commissioned the disciples,] they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick.
— Luke 9:6 NLT

Key Thought

Like Jesus' preaching, the preaching of the Good News by the Twelve involved an effort to reach both heart and body. I believe we must take away two important understandings from what Jesus instructed [1] and what the disciples did.

  1. We are called to walk in the footsteps of Jesus by carrying his message to others, both those with whom we regularly interact and those in other places, either by going ourselves or helping to send others.
  2. We are called to serve others as the body of Christ by helping them overcome the spiritual and physical difficulties they face.

Together, as we all use our gifts, we are to be the presence of Christ to the world. [2] Authentic outreach involves both the message of Christ and also the compassion of Christ. One without the other is lacking and is less than the presence of Jesus to the broken of our world.

[1] Luke 9:1-2.
[2] Romans 12:4-5.

Today's Prayer

Holy and righteous Father, please give us, your people, the courage and the conviction to preach and to serve the human needs of those around us. God, I confess that doing both preaching and serving seems so hard for us, so use me as a person in whom this kind of authentic ministry is both active and effective. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 4:23-25
  • Luke 5:15
  • Ephesians 4:11-16

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 9:6 NLT — [After Jesus commissioned the disciples,] they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick.

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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