Jesus' life has always been many things to many people. He was, of course, the Son of God, sent by his Father for a specific purpose, to bring salvation to all who would believe in him. As he walked the earth he sought to bring revelation, freedom, and deliverance to all who were ready to receive him. By his powerful defeat of death, he continues to live and bring forth the reality of his royal sonship to the ordinary mortal.
All Christians are familiar with the Great Commission issued by Jesus in (Matthew 28:18-20). He challenged and commanded his disciples with this after his resurrection. The same challenge has been in place for all Christians through the ages. But even before this time, during his earthly ministry, Jesus gave similar instructions to the disciples in today's passage.
These words of Jesus to his apprentices were specific, divine instructions. They contained a clear purpose for the disciples and gave extensive detail as to what the men may encounter as they went out to fulfil what their Lord required of them. His words are no less valid for all who follow him today. Lest we forget, just as Jeremiah prophesied (Jeremiah 29:11), the Lord knows the plans he has for each and every one of us.
Do we spend time with Jesus, seek him out, and stay a while to listen to the plans that he has for us?
What is also poignant is that Jesus always led his disciples by example. Through his words and his deeds he showed his disciples and us the perfect way to live. He set the standard, and this standard is set out in the words of the Bible for us to ponder daily.
We Christians possess the greatest instruction manual for our lives: the Bible. Our lives should characterized by self analysis before the Lord, to ensure that our thoughts, words, and deeds-our entire lives-are a reflection of the one whom we follow and the example he gave while he walked the earth.