We’re about to jump into a big section of Luke. The rest of chapter six is sometimes referred to as ‘The Sermon on the Plain’ and is, generally, a shorter version of ‘The Sermon on the Mount’ recorded in Matthew 5-7.
Before Jesus begins to minister to a great multitude He calls His twelve apostles. We read in 6.13:
“…he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles…”
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Apostles are those who are sent as an agent of another, someone sent bearing a commission of service. This was not a decision taken lightly. Jesus spent all night in prayer to God (6.12). Before taking big steps and before making big decisions Jesus spent all night in prayer to God. His approach and attitude towards this is something we ought to replicate as we approach some of His most countercultural and revolutionary teaching (6.20-49). D.Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote this:
“…it is obviously important that we should approach [the Word] in the right manner…It is possible for us to read the Bible in such a mechanical manner that we derive no benefit from doing so…”
So, as we prepare to read and then look at some life-changing truths over the coming days and weeks, first let us pause and ponder:
- Am I approaching the Word of God in the right manner?
- Do I believe it to be inspired and inerrant and infallible?
- Do I believe it to be worthy and able to change my life?
- If I were there listening to Jesus say these things, would I take them more seriously than when reading them written down?
- If this is the case, why?
- Do I not trust the written record of His Word?
James Travis 