What Jesus Did! 'The Urgency and Importance of God's Kingdom' — Luke 10:8-11

Thursday, June 29, 2023

[Jesus continued his instructions to the seventy-two disciples he was sending as missionaries:] "If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. Heal the sick, and tell them, 'The Kingdom of God is near you now.' But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 'We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this — the Kingdom of God is near!'"
— Luke 10:8-11 NLT

Key Thought

God's Kingdom had drawn near with the coming of Jesus. He sent his disciples to prepare the people's hearts. The announcement of the Kingdom was not only urgent; it was also eternally important. Jesus' instructions were given to help the disciples know that importance. In our time when so few accept any standards for truth or morality, it is easy for us to lose our sense of urgency and importance about the Kingdom of God. Let's be open to the strong language Jesus used, especially in the following verses, [1] to shake us from our lethargy and remember that accepting Jesus' truth about God's Kingdom is eternally important.

[1] Luke 10:12-16.

Today's Prayer

Father, forgive my lethargy toward those whose lives are not yet yielded to the lordship of Jesus. Renew my passion to share your grace and to declare your Kingdom. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

What Brings Deep Joy
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"My Dear Little One, The world is a big place. I've asked you to step into this big place and make a big difference. I know there will be times when....."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 10:8-11 NLT — And know this — the Kingdom of God is near!

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, June 29, 2023

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
1 John 1:7
"If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Care for Absent Loved Ones' (1 Th. 3:1-13)
"Dear Father, our partner in caring, How hard it is to be far away from those we want to encourage to walk in your ways. We leave them in your hands,...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Facing Hostile Powers' (Acts 13:4-10)
"So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. There, in...."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Jeremiah 2:18
"By sundry miracles, by divers mercies, by strange deliverances Jehovah had proved himself to be worthy of Israel's trust. Yet they broke down the..."

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.

More What Jesus Did!