When a man is planning to get married he will usually choose a good friend to be his best-man. He is chosen as someone the bridegroom can count on to support him and who will be willing and eager to help him. The best man will not be trying to get attention for himself, but will be wanting to make sure the bridegroom gets the attention he deserves and the help he requests. 1*.
Jesus Christ, the great Messiah, choose for Himself "the Twelve", not as best-men for a wedding, but to serve as His Apostles. 2*. It would be their special job to honour and promote the Lord Jesus Christ, and to make known to the world God's glorious purpose for His coming. 3*.
To make sure they could represent Jesus well, "He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases." 4*. Surely they would have no problem convincing people of the greatness and love of Christ, and in getting people to trust and obey Jesus as their Lord!
Jesus "sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." 4*. and told them "Take nothing for the journey - no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." 5*.
The Twelve whom Jesus sent out were NOT appointed as "vicars" who were intended to "take Jesus' place". NO! They can't replace Jesus ; no more than a best-man can replace the bridegroom! The Apostles were sent to proclaim that Jesus was the Christ and that He alone was the Saviour for mankind. 6*.
So, the authority and power of the Messiah was clearly demonstrated by Christ and by His Twelve Apostles sent out to represent Him. 7*. What if, after seeing such evidence of the Kingdom of God, people would still refuse to turn to the Messiah and fully trust in Him? Those people would be rejected by God and have no place in God's Kingdom! 8*.
All who ignore the message of the Kingdom of God - refusing to receive God's Salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone - will face God's judgment and destruction. 9*.
Today there are many false representatives of Jesus - men who claim for themselves that they actually "take Jesus' place" - and sadly many people are deceived by them and put their trust in them! These false representatives claim to be able to absolve people from their sins and say that it is only through their words and actions that you can be reconciled to God!
These are things that no one but Jesus Christ Himself can do for you. 10*.
Are you one of those who welcomes the glorious message of Jesus Christ, the Son of God as being your only hope? Or are you one of those who rejects His message because they claim that another is "our life, our sweetness and our hope"?
Put your trust in Jesus Christ today as and your only Priest and Saviour!
Read about the original Twelve messengers sent out by Jesus in Luke's Gospel chapter 9, verses 1-6.
Bye for now, John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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Bible quotations from N.I.V.
1 see John 3:29-30.
2 See Hebrews 10:5-14.
3 See Luke 24:45-49.
4 Luke 9:1-2.
5 Luke 9:3-5.
6 See Acts 2:22-36. 4:12. 10:36-43.
7 See Luke 9:1-2,6. John 10:24-33.
8 See Colossians 1:12-14. John 10:24-38.
9 See Matthew 25:31-46. John 3:16-19.
10 See 1st Peter 3:18. 1st Timothy 2:5-6. John 14:6.