Call to Gather, Pray and Worship God
Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Yes Lord, bless us to us to do Your will and work in us whatever pleases you! I pray this for myself and… (yes, who else?)
Today's Scripture Story
“As the Father sent me, I am sending you” Jesus told his disciples after leaving the grave behind (see John 20:21). The clear sense of mission that Jesus came into the world with – saving mankind through his death – was being passed on to his disciples. They were now being sent just as Jesus was, to bring God’s message of salvation in Jesus to a world in need. I cannot imagine that Jesus has communicated the current-day discipling crew “there is no more need to go.” Rather he is still sending his witnesses.
What is your testimony as a witness? What have you heard and seen relating to Jesus? The first disciples started in the town they were currently camped out in and went from there. But they went only after receiving the promised Holy Spirit. Let us do the same, starting where we are and relying on the promised Holy Spirit.
Luke 24:36-49
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Prayer
Father God, as You send us disciples into the world, remind us to start in the world right around us, our own “Jerusalem.” And teach us always to rely on the promised Holy Spirit – gifted to us in baptism and giving us direction daily. In the name of Jesus Your Sent One. Amen.
John 17:20-26
The
Great Sending
Word of the Day
John 17:20-26
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”