Communication and Commission

Today’s Text: Luke 24:15, 32

As [the two disciples] talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them… [Later:] They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 

Words of Ministry

Prayer seems to have many sides. Actually there are only two sides - Communication and Commission. The rest are phases of these two. These are the heartbeats of a prayer life. And the heart must keep beating in two directions or death will ensue. Communication without commission equals death, but together equals life.

First there is communication. Have you ever seen on television or maybe you’ve had the opportunity to see for yourself, sap being freshly tapped from a tree? Imagine holding a cup nestled up against the wound of a maple tree and taking the sweet sap from the heart of that tree, think of pray in that way. We press our empty lives, like the cup, up against the wounds of the Eternal God and take from Him life, power, and redemption. Everyday let us nestle up against His wounded side, for we our empty without Him. And everyday let our cup be emptied in living to help others.

In calling the disciples Jesus appointed twelve that they might “Be with Him,” that He might “Send the Out” to preach the Good News, and “Have Authority” to cast out the devil.


1.Communication – to be with Him


2.Commission - sent out to preach (telling others the Good News)


3.Communication + Commission = Moral Authority

If the call to be with Him holds together then everything else will follow. Neglect one and the other fades fast. And the Moral Authority depends on the other two.

Empty prayer closet, empty heart, empty hands, - this is the spiritual history of many. “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16

If Jesus needed to pray, how much more we need to pray!

PRAYER: O Christ, You showed by Your example the source of payer, may we tap that power and Communicate it to others. Amen

  

Further reading John 20:19-20, Acts 1:4-8