Tuesday 10 July, 2012

8 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

I think these three verses are easy to skim over: Jesus was preaching, his disciples and some women were with him, it’s easy to think ‘that’s nice’, and keep reading.

The reality is though, in these three verses we see how Jesus went about his ministry, and we are given an important model to follow.

Jesus was not a one-man band. Jesus had his twelve disciples with him, and we see throughout the gospel of Luke that the disciples were there not only to be taught by Jesus, but also to support him and to partner with him in the work he was doing.

I think ahead and these disciples were going to let him down big time at the moment when he most needed them. These disciples were going to fall asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane, just before Jesus’ arrest. These disciples were going to run away when he was arrested. These disciples were not perfect, but Jesus was still committed to teaching them, and having them in his world.

I’m challenged by that, to invite people into my world, to share the journey, to ask for support, when I know that people aren’t perfect, people will let me down at my hour of greatest need. Am I prepared to invest in relationships anyway? When I fail others will I continue to be a friend anyway?

If the Son of God had a team of people with him as he lived out God’s calling on his life, how much more do I need people around me for this walk of faith?

Written by Beth Waugh