We’ve been taught to understand “church” as a place, a building, a service we attend. And indeed, those are elements of church. It’s a place for sure or Jesus would not have said His Father’s house is a house of prayer. But as John 17 makes unabashedly clear, the ultimate point of “church” is to form as, and to gather as disciples. And since John 17 is talking about a lineage of disciples that would spring forth ultimately from the eleven, this passage is speaking to you if you desire to walk in the footsteps of our one Leader, Teacher, and Master. If you’re not familiar with John 17.21-23, it is a highly recommended prequel before meditating on today’s passage. This morning finds Jesus doing something that His very Spirit can—and does—choose to do even today (John 15.26, “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, namely, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, He will testify about Me”).

Do you believe it? If you believe it -- that the Spirit of Father and Son is present today seeking to work through us -- do you desire to be a disciple? If you feel far away, that’s okay.

If you aspire, read today about Jesus sending YOU, and ask yourself what you need to go along in this journey.

[Luke 9.1-9]

1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. 4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Herod Is Perplexed by Jesus

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. 9 Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Verse 6 says to “shake the dust of your feet as a testimony against” those who reject the message. Do you think this is a signal God is having us send to people or to principalities?

+ Verses 7-9 cover some of the people Jesus is mistaken for. What is the common thread between the two men quoted here?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ In a prior Daily, we wrote that one of the definitions of preaching is: “to urge acceptance or abandonment of an idea or course of action specifically: to exhort in an officious or tiresome manner.” Are you ready to do this that others might be saved?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ We’ll reaffirm this question from our last Daily (we wrestle with this question ourselves so we are reinforcing it that the Body of Downtown Hope might pray over and consider this question): are you being discipled or seeking disciples? If you aspire to either path at this point in your life, how might you take the next step, and how might you invite Christ’s Spirit to walk with you?